When these mechanisms are overwhelmed, heat loss happens faster than heat production resulting in hypothermia. Sometimes the body s temperature control can be altered by disease. In this case, core body temperature can decrease in almost any environment. This condition is called secondary hypothermia. The body loses heat in several ways.
Children cool quicker than adults because they have more surface area compared to body mass.
The body also has a variety of methods to increase heat production. But at a certain low level, the body cannot continue heat production, and core body temperature drops quickly. From 98.6 F to 89.6 F, the body begins to shiver, blood vessels contract, and hormones generate heat. Shivering can double heat generation. However, this can only last a few hours.