Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Hypothermia overview
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Hypothermia is a condition in which an organism’s temperature drops below that required for normal metabolism and bodily functions. In warm-blooded animals, core body temperature is maintained near a constant level through biologic homeostasis. But when the body is exposed to cold its internal mechanisms may be unable to replenish the heat that is being lost to the organism’s surroundings.
Differentiating Hypothermia from other Diseases
Differentiating Hypothermia from other Diseases
Hypothermia is the opposite of hyperthermia. Because the words sound alike, they are easily confused.
Treatment
Treatment
Surgery
Profound hypothermia can be an indication to be placed on extracorporeal circulation (bypass pump).
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]