Hypothermia

/ˌhaɪpəˈθɜːrmiə/

Meaning & Definition

noun

a medical emergency that occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, resulting in a dangerously low body temperature.

After spending hours in the cold water, he was diagnosed with hypothermia.

a condition characterized by a drop in body temperature below 95°F (35°C).

The hikers were warned about the risk of hypothermia in the freezing weather conditions.

a state in which the body temperature falls below the normal range due to prolonged exposure to cold.

Children are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia during winter storms if they are not properly dressed.

Derived from the Greek words 'hypo-' meaning under or below, and 'thermia' meaning heat.

mild hypothermia

A less severe form of hypothermia, often treatable without extensive medical intervention.

severe hypothermia

A critical condition requiring immediate medical attention.

hypothermic reaction

The body's response to extreme cold, which can include shivering, confusion, and fatigue.

hyperthermia

A condition in which the body temperature is elevated beyond normal limits.

frostbite

Injury to body tissues caused by extreme cold, often related to hypothermia.

Chill-out syndrome

When she didn't wear a jacket in the snow, I told her she was asking for a chill-out syndrome.

Ice cube syndrome

He was so cold at the lake that I joked he had ice cube syndrome.