If left untreated, mild hypothermia could worsen and body temperature could drop below 90 degrees and becomes moderate hypothermia. Shivering stops as the body switches from using energy as a source of heat to conserving energy in the face of cold exposure.
Signs of Moderate to Severe Hypothermia
- Absence of shivering
- Dilated pupils
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Loss of consciousness
Once you become moderately hypothermic, the situation must be addressed, or you will continue to worsen and will develop severe hypothermia.
As the core body temperature drops below 83 degrees, you will most likely be unconscious and unresponsive to most stimuli. Often, deep tendon reflexes are diminished or absent, meaning that you will not respond to any attempts to be woken up.
Severe hypothermia is a serious medical emergency.
Patients with this stage of hypothermia are at an increased risk for sudden cardiac arrest due to the irritability of heart muscle tissues at lower temperatures. Even rewarming will require close monitoring in the event that the patient suffers a cardiac arrhythmia.