- Acute Flaccid Myelitis
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- Memory
- Meningitis
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Movement Disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Neuroblastoma
- Neuromuscular Disorders
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Polio and Post-Polio Syndrome
- Speech and Language Problems in Children
- Stroke
- Transient Ischemic Attack
- Tremor
- Walking Problems
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- A1C
- Blood Glucose
- Diabetes
- Diabetes and Pregnancy
- Diabetes Complications
- Diabetes in Children and Teens
- Diabetes Medicines
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- How to Prevent Diabetes
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- Abortion
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- Cervical Cancer
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- HIV and Pregnancy
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- Cholesterol Levels: What You Need to Know
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- How to Lower Cholesterol
- How to Lower Cholesterol with Diet
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- LDL: The “Bad” Cholesterol
- Malabsorption Syndromes
- Nutrition for Older Adults
- Pregnancy and Nutrition
- Toddler Nutrition
- Triglycerides
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- Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
- Ataxia Telangiectasia
- Brain Malformations
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- Concussion
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- Dislocations
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- Finger Injuries and Disorders
- Foot Injuries and Disorders
- Fractures
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- Inhalation Injuries
- Insect Bites and Stings
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- Knee Injuries and Disorders
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- Mosquito Bites
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- Rotator Cuff Injuries
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- Abdominal Pain
- Bad Breath
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- Edema
- Fainting
- Fever
- Frostbite
- Gas
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Headache
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- Hives
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- Indigestion
- Itching
- Jaundice
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Pain
- Rare Diseases
- Raynaud’s Disease
- Sciatica
- Speech and Communication Disorders
- Stuttering
Hypothermia
Summary
Cold weather can affect your body in different ways. You can get frostbite, which is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Your body can also lose heat faster than you can produce it. That can cause hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. It can make you sleepy, confused, and clumsy. Because it happens gradually and affects your thinking, you may not realize you need help. That makes it especially dangerous. A body temperature below 95 °F (35 °C) is a medical emergency and can lead to death if not treated promptly.
Anyone who spends much time outdoors in cold weather can get hypothermia. You can also get it from being cold and wet, or under cold water for too long. Babies and old people are especially at risk. Babies can get it from sleeping in a cold room.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute on Aging
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Avoiding Frostbite and Hypothermia National Safety Council
- Cold Stress Can Be Prevented Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- Prevent Hypothermia and Frostbite Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Hypothermia National Institutes of Health
Encyclopedia
- Cold intolerance Medical Encyclopedia
Related Issues
- Cold Stress National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Start Here
- Cold Weather Safety for Older Adults National Institute on Aging
Patient Handouts
- How to prevent frostbite and hypothermia Medical Encyclopedia
- Hypothermia Medical Encyclopedia
NIH MedlinePlus Magazine
Treatments and Therapies
- Hypothermia: First Aid Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Find an Expert
- National Center for Environmental Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
- National Institute on Aging National Institute on Aging
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Journal Articles
Older Adults
- Safety Tips for Exercising Outdoors for Older Adults National Institute on Aging