Hypothermia Essay Example

become less flexible causing wrinkles on the skin. The subcutaneous layer lies beneath the skin comprises a fatty tissue layer.

The epidermis consists of fast-growing tissue that has multiple functions. It provides warmth, absorbs impacts, acts as a link between the outer skin layer and underlying tissues, and serves as a nutrient reserve. Additionally, within the epidermis is where hair growth begins with each hair extending from a follicle located inside this area.

The process of hair growth relies on the creation of fresh cells at the base of the follicle, generated by its lining. Adipose tissue consists of adipocytes and functions as a storage location for fat while also supplying warmth and support to the body. The quantity of this tissue, rather than overall body mass, influences obesity levels in both animals and humans.

Mammals have two types of adipose tissue, white and brown, which are located beneath the skin and surrounding internal organs. This tissue provides protection for organs, insulation from temperature changes, and serves as a nutrient reserve. Homeostasis is maintained by regulating physiological processes within an organism or cell. The skin plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis through its various functions including sensory reception, vitamin synthesis, hormone synthesis, material absorption, water balance regulation, temperature control and protection.

The skin serves as a safeguard against microbes and viruses while also preserving water and extracellular fluid. When exposed to cold, blood vessels near the skin contract, leading to shivering which generates heat. Additionally, body hairs stand up to capture warmth on the skin surface. The breakdown of glucose and food into ATP and heat energy produces heat.

The liver and muscles, as well as

respiration, are the primary sources of heat production in the body. To ensure a consistent body temperature, peripheral regions like hands, ears, and feet dispel heat. It's crucial to regulate body temperature because it affects enzyme reaction efficiency. If the body overheats, sweating happens via pore openings that work akin to an evaporative cooler mechanism.

When the body's temperature rises excessively, it starts searching for ways to cool down and ultimately shuts down.Treating hypothermia involves various steps, including putting on additional layers of clothing, replacing wet clothes with dry ones, getting the person moving to increase their activity, ensuring surroundings are warm and still, providing hot liquids as initial food, and adding warmth with fire or body-to-body contact. To wrap up a person with hypothermia, blankets, towels, and coats should be used to protect the head first. Additionally, wet clothing should be removed and the person should be moved indoors or somewhere warm as soon as possible. Activity should be increased if possible but not to the point of sweating. Personal body heat can help the person and warm drinks can be given but not alcohol. It's important to not give alcohol as it decreases the body's ability to retain heat. Direct heat to arms and legs should not be applied as it forces cold blood back to major organs, making conditions worse. Rubbing or massaging skin shouldn't be done either as it can widen blood vessels and decrease the body's ability to retain heat. Seek medical help immediately if a person exposed to the cold is distressed or confused, has slow and shallow breathing, or is unconscious as severe hypothermia could be life-threatening.A person

with hypothermia may have a healthy-looking skin, however, they would feel cold. In the case of babies, they may exhibit limpness, unusual quietness and refusal to feed.

When the body's temperature decreases, shivering ceases, and the heart rate decreases until the person loses consciousness. They will seem to have no pulse or respiration. If feasible, CPR should be administered while heating the person. CPR is an emergency protocol that involves mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions.