Hypotermisk

Hypotermisk is an adjective used in medical and scientific contexts to describe phenomena, tissues, or states related to hypothermia, that is, an abnormally low core body temperature. The term is used across several European languages, including Swedish, to denote cooling effects or conditions associated with cold exposure.

In medical terms, hypothermia is typically defined as a core body temperature below 35°C (95°F). Hypotermisk can describe both the condition itself and the physiological or clinical effects of cooling, as well as medical interventions that involve deliberate cooling or warming of the body. Clinically, hypothermia is categorized by severity: mild (about 32–35°C), moderate (28–32°C), and severe (below 28°C). The term also applies to tissues and environments that are cooled to subnormal temperatures in research or therapeutic settings.

Common causes of hypothermia include environmental exposure to cold, immersion in cold water, anesthesia or sedation, metabolic or endocrine disturbances, malnutrition, and age-related impairment in thermoregulation. Symptoms range from shivering and cold, pale skin to progressed confusion, slowed heart and breathing, or unconsciousness, with severity correlating to the degree of cooling.

Diagnosis relies on core temperature measurement (often via rectal or esophageal probes), along with vital signs and clinical assessment. Treatment focuses on gradual rewarming and stabilization: removing the patient from the cold, external warming, and, when necessary, internal warming through warmed IV fluids or inhalation therapy, while monitoring cardiac rhythm and electrolytes. Prevention emphasizes adequate clothing, shelter, and supervision for at-risk groups, especially in extreme weather or clinical settings.