Milder climates of an Alabama winter can mask the need to be aware of hypothermia. But numbers from the Alabama Department of Public Health show the condition -– a medical emergency when the body loses heat faster than it can be produced – can be deadly even in a state that typically has a warmer climate.

Provisional 2022 ADPH data from the Center for Health Statistics show there were 18 deaths of Alabama residents from hypothermia in 2022, an increase from 10 deaths the previous year.

Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature falls below 95 degrees F, just a few degrees less than the normal body temperature. To prevent it, it’s recommended people dress in multiple layers to help retain body heat, limit time outdoors in extreme cold and remove wet clothes immediately.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, victims of hypothermia are often:

• Older adults with inadequate food, clothing or heating. Also, as the body ages, the ability to maintain a constant internal temperature decreases. The risk for hypothermia is even greater when a person has a chronic condition that affects the circulatory or neurologic systems or the thyroid.
• Babies sleeping in cold bedrooms
• People who remain outdoors for long periods—the unhoused, hikers, hunters and others
• People who drink alcohol or use illicit drugs. Also, common drugs such as tranquilizers can contribute to the onset of hypothermia. Many deaths from hypothermia are complicated by alcohol consumption, which can lead to dehydration and impaired judgment.

Symptoms of hypothermia in adults

• Shivering
• Exhaustion or feeling very tired
• Confusion
• Fumbling hands
• Memory loss
• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness

Symptoms of hypothermia in babies

• Bright red, cold skin
• Very low energy

What to do if you suspect hypothermia

Immediate medical attention is needed if a person’s temperature falls below 95 degrees F, the CDC advises. If unable to get medical help right away, try to warm the person up:

• Getting the person into a warm room or shelter.
• Remove any wet clothing the person is wearing.
• Warm the center of the person’s body—chest, neck, head, and groin—using an electric blanket, if available. You can also use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
• Warm drinks can help increase body temperature but do not give alcoholic drinks. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.
• After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrap their body, including their head and neck, in a warm blanket.
• Get the person proper medical attention as soon as possible.