Can Hypothermia Cause Nerve Damage?
Definition of Hypothermia Hypothermia is the dropping of an individual’s body core temperature to degrees that are too low for normal metabolic function. Hypothermia is classified as any body temperature below 35 degrees Celsius or 95 degrees Fahrenheit. In the first stage of Hypothermia, shivering occurs, extremities become numb and breathing quickens. In the second stage, shivering increases, muscle usage drops and some extremities turn blue. In the final stage, symptoms worsen, mental faculties falter, major organs fail and the body begins to shut down. Causes of Hypothermia The main cause of hypothermia is exposure to cold temperatures. The amount of time it takes for hypothermia to set in depends on the individual’s body size and mass, her clothing and the weather conditions (e.g., winds & temperature). Submersion in cold water is also a major cause as the water quickens heat loss from the body, especially as it collects in clothing and attacks the body with additional cold. Hypot
