Isabelle Elisa Perez
Professor A. Custer
Human Biology 1050
4 November, 2013

Hypothermia -"the Bad"

In Cleveland, Ohio we experience low temperature throughout the Winter. Temperatures and wind chills that are sometimes below average or zero. With these chilling temperatures people are at exposure of undergoing hypothermia.

The normal internal body temperature is approximately 98.6 degrees fahrenheit. When undergoing hypothermia, the internal body temperature has decreased below 95 degrees fahrenheit or 35 degrees celsius.

When the body undergoes hypothermia the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and endocrine system are affected.

As environmental temperatures decrease there is a reduction in heat conservation and production. To increase the amount of heat conservation and production the hypothalamus send signals to motor neurons. As a physiological response the body begins to shiver and blood vessels constrict. The heart and liver usually generates most of the body's heat production but as internal body temperatures decrease as will its heat production. To increase the amount of heat conservation and production, and avoid neurological damage the heart and liver will shut down. As a response brain activity, breathing, and heart rates will decrease. Immediately afterwards physiological and neurobehavioral affects such as confusion and fatigue may set in.

Other than environmental factors, biological attributes, and medical conditions can cause hypothermia.

Hypothermia causes both physiological and neurobehavioral symptoms.

Hypothermia is classified based upon the degree of internal body temperature. There are three types of hypothermia, mild, moderate, and severe.

Advances in medical technology and treatments have prevented hypothermic