Lupo
12-22-2006, 02:06 PM
Outdoor accidents and trauma can lead to potentially dangerous hypothermic situations. We are truly blessed here in the Pacific Northwest with vast mountains and untouched forests to explore. As winter is white and beautiful it can also be treacherous and unforgiving. Know the signs and symptoms of exposure, dress in appropriate clothing. This will ensure that you will have a safe and enjoyable day in the outdoors.
Hypothermia can affect even the most skilled and expert outdoorsman. Be prepared, and know the sign and symptoms of hypothermia.
Thermal stability in humans depends on the body's ability to adapt to changes in internal and external temperatures. Heat is transferred throughout tissues and fat, and is released at a rate directly related to the temperature of the environment through radiation, conduction, convection, and evaporation.
Hypothermia affects virtually all body systems, as well as the metabolic and coagulative functions of the body. As patients become colder, their eventual response is a slower heart rate, decreased myocardial contractility, and impaired use of oxygen by tissue beds.
Factors that contribute to hypothermia
Intrinsic factors
Prolonged extrications
Environmental exposures
Age extremes
Preexisting conditions
Large open wounds
Prolonged shock
Central nervous system dysfunction
Drugs and/or alcohol
Treatment-related factors
Massive volume resuscitation
Blood transfusion
Exposure to ambient temperatures during evaluation
Medications
Prolonged open-cavity procedures
________________________________________
Physiological effects of hypothermia
Metabolic
Increased metabolic rate (early effect)
Decreased metabolic rate (late effect)
Increased serum glucose
Decreased pH with increased production of lactate
Neurologic
Decreased level of consciousness
Decreased cerebral blood flow
Absent motor and reflex function
Cardiovascular
Increased myocardial oxygen demand
Decreased cardiac output
Arrhythmias and cardiac irritability
Osborne "J" waves on EKG
Pulmonary
Decreased respiratory rate
Decreased cough
Increased secretions
Increased dead space
Left shift of the oxyhemoglobin disassociation curve
Renal
Cold diuresis
Gastrointestinal
Decreased liver function
Decreased motility
Bacterial translocation
Decreased insulin release
Coagulation
Platelet dysfunction
Alteration in clotting factor function
Hemodilution of clotting factors
Whole article: http://www.rnweb.com/rnweb/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=117690#2
Hypothermia can affect even the most skilled and expert outdoorsman. Be prepared, and know the sign and symptoms of hypothermia.
Thermal stability in humans depends on the body's ability to adapt to changes in internal and external temperatures. Heat is transferred throughout tissues and fat, and is released at a rate directly related to the temperature of the environment through radiation, conduction, convection, and evaporation.
Hypothermia affects virtually all body systems, as well as the metabolic and coagulative functions of the body. As patients become colder, their eventual response is a slower heart rate, decreased myocardial contractility, and impaired use of oxygen by tissue beds.
Factors that contribute to hypothermia
Intrinsic factors
Prolonged extrications
Environmental exposures
Age extremes
Preexisting conditions
Large open wounds
Prolonged shock
Central nervous system dysfunction
Drugs and/or alcohol
Treatment-related factors
Massive volume resuscitation
Blood transfusion
Exposure to ambient temperatures during evaluation
Medications
Prolonged open-cavity procedures
________________________________________
Physiological effects of hypothermia
Metabolic
Increased metabolic rate (early effect)
Decreased metabolic rate (late effect)
Increased serum glucose
Decreased pH with increased production of lactate
Neurologic
Decreased level of consciousness
Decreased cerebral blood flow
Absent motor and reflex function
Cardiovascular
Increased myocardial oxygen demand
Decreased cardiac output
Arrhythmias and cardiac irritability
Osborne "J" waves on EKG
Pulmonary
Decreased respiratory rate
Decreased cough
Increased secretions
Increased dead space
Left shift of the oxyhemoglobin disassociation curve
Renal
Cold diuresis
Gastrointestinal
Decreased liver function
Decreased motility
Bacterial translocation
Decreased insulin release
Coagulation
Platelet dysfunction
Alteration in clotting factor function
Hemodilution of clotting factors
Whole article: http://www.rnweb.com/rnweb/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=117690#2