Awareness Hypothermia, or cold stress, is a preventable illness that can result not only from exposure to outdoor cold, but also from unprotected exposure to cool indoor temperatures. If undetected and untreated, hypothermia can be serious and even life threatening. Hypothermia occurs when a person s body temperature falls below 95 degrees. The condition slows the heart and breathing, weakens the body and causes disorientation.
Cold stress can cause drowsiness and difficulty speaking or moving.
Make sure the layer next to your skin is dry. Wear mittens instead of gloves. Avoid alcoholic beverages, which can increase your body s heat loss. Avoid antidepressants, sedatives, tranquilizers and cardiovascular drugs, which can increase the risk of hypothermia because they affect the body s ability to regulate its temperature. Return to top .