Exposure to extreme cold may cause hypothermia — a life threatening emergency

Islamabad

The public and private healthcare facilities in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have started receiving cases of hypothermia after the significant fall in mercury in this part of the country and severe cold weather conditions in hilly areas around Margalla and Murree hills.

Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences has received at least 24 patients with condition of mild to severe hypothermia including the one expired before reaching hospital in last two weeks, said Medical Specialist at Intensive Care Unit of PIMS Dr. Muhammad Haroon while talking to 'The News' on Saturday.

He said the patient expired before reaching hospital is an elderly homeless person. "The hospital had to provide intensive care to the rest of the patients," he said.

Hypothermia that is considered as a life-threatening medical emergency occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce heat due to cold weather or immersion into cold water particularly in extreme cold weather conditions.

It results in a dangerously low body temperature that can even drop to 27 degree centigrade in severe cases of the medical emergency due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Normal body temperature is about 98.6 degree Fahrenheit (37 degree centigrade), but hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops below 95°F (35°C).

He said it is time to create awareness among public on what problems the exposure in extreme cold can cause and how to avoid these life-threatening conditions. Hypothermia is common in males and the elderly. Three of hypothermia's main causes are alcohol consumption that makes one feel warmer while increasing heat loss, poverty that results in inability to afford adequate heating and water immersion, he said.

It is important that in Pakistan, there is no concrete data about deaths from hypothermia but according to estimates, hypothermia causes not less than 150 deaths every winter, the number of cases reported in cities across the country.

Majority of deaths in Pakistan due to hypothermia were reported in homeless population that freeze to death in the freezing or subzero winter cold and snow, said Dr. Haroon.

He explained that rapid drop in body's core temperature keeps heart, nervous system, and other organs from functioning normally. It can also cause effects such as confusion and strange behaviours like clumsiness and fatigue. Death generally occurs due to complete failure of your heart and nervous system, he said.

He said the first aid for victim of hypothermia begins by moving them out of the cold and removing any wet clothing they may be wearing. Cover them with blankets and extra clothes while serving them warm, sweet beverages to avoid hypoglycemia. Avoid excessive massaging or rubbing when sharing body heat as well as alcohol or caffeinated drinks. Vigorous, jarring movements may trigger cardiac arrest while alcohol or caffeine speeds up heat loss, explained Dr. Haroon.

He added that those suffering from unconsciousness or other symptoms of severe hypothermia should be brought to a hospital immediately where they can receive more supportive care. Hypothermia is a life threatening emergency and should be promptly recognised and treated.

Aged persons and children should avoid going outside homes in extreme weather conditions from 9:00 pm to 7:00 am when the temperature falls to below eight degree centigrade. People should be aware of the fact that hypothermia affects all systems of the body leading to unconsciousness and drowsiness that may result in coma or even death if left untreated, said Dr. Haroon.