RT Journal
A1 Petersdorf RG
T1 HYpothermia
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 1979
FD April 1
VO 139
IS 4
SP 399
OP 399
DO 10.1001/archinte.1979.03630410009006
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1979.03630410009006
AB Man adapts to cold in a variety of ways: vasoconstriction reduces peripheral blood flow and maintains the temperature of the body core; shivering increases heat production; and modification of behavioral patterns results in better tolerance of abnormally low temperatures. Clinically, however, these adaptive mechanisms are rarely operative because hypothermia occurs by accident, usually in elderly, debilitated, or alcoholic individuals after prolonged exposures to low ambient temperatures. The usual history is that of a derelict found in a railroad yard or under a bridge following an alcoholic debauch, with a temperature of 28.5 to 32.3 °C or lower. Or a little old lady may be brought to the emergency room with hypothermia after suffering a stroke and lying helpless in an unheated apartment for a week or more. A variety of chronic diseases predispose to this syndrome, including myxedema—which is a much rarer cause of hypothermia than is usually thought—Addison's disease,