Almost everyone is familiar with winter hazards such as broken bones from falls on ice or breathing difficulties triggered by cold air. But the winter chill can also lead to a temperature drop inside the body that can be deadly if not found quickly and treated properly. It is a special problem for older people, who often have other illnesses or take medications that can interfere with the body's ability to regulate its temperature. What may seem like a mere couple of degrees can have a devastating effect. Severe hypothermia can cause an irregular heartbeat leading to heart failure and death.
Body temperature is a balance between how much heat is produced and how much is lost.
The brain acts as a thermostat sending and receiving signals to and from parts of the body that affect temperature, which include the spinal cord, muscles, blood vessels, endocrine system and skin. The body has many different reactions to cold. Shivering by the muscles, for instance, is one way the body produces heat. Older people may be reluctant to complain, or are unaware of how serious the cold can be. Slowed, slurred speech or shallow breathing.