Cold weather can be risky for anyone, but especially for older people. Almost everyone is familiar with winter hazards such as broken bones from falls on ice or breathing difficulties triggered by cold air. But the winter chill can also lead to a temperature drop inside the body that can be deadly if not found quickly and treated properly. This lowered body temperature, usually brought on by staying in a cool place for a long time, is called hypothermia (hi-po-ther-mee-uh). It is a special problem for older people, who often have other illnesses or take medications that can interfere with the body's ability to regulate its temperature.
What is hypothermia?
Hypothermia is marked by unusually low body temperatures, below 96° F (35.5° C) -
well below the body's normal temperature of 98.6° F (37° C). What may seem like a
mere couple of degrees can have a devastating effect. Severe hypothermia can cause an
irregular heartbeat leading to heart failure and death.
Body temperature is a balance between how much heat is produced and how much is lost. The
brain acts as a thermostat, sending and receiving signals to and from parts of the body
that affect temperature: the spinal cord, muscles, blood vessels, endocrine system, and
skin. The body has many different reactions to cold. Shivering by the muscles, for
instance, is one way the body produces heat. Muscles shiver in response to messages sent
by the nerves; shivering increases muscle cell activity, which in turn produces heat.
