What is the treatment for hypothermia?

The treatment for hypothermia focuses on gradually rewarming the individual in a safe and controlled manner. This is crucial because rapid rewarming, such as placing someone in a hot bath, can cause shock and cardiovascular complications. The body's temperature regulation mechanisms become impaired in hypothermia, and aggressive heat applications can lead to dangerous fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate.

Gradual warming involves using blankets to insulate the person from cold environments and warm fluids to internally raise body temperature without overwhelming the system. This method allows the body to acclimate to the rising temperature safely, promoting a more effective recovery.

Encouraging vigorous exercise or giving cold fluids contradicts the goal of warming the body and could exacerbate the person's condition. Exercise can further demand energy from a body already struggling to maintain its core temperature, and cold fluids would only worsen the hypothermia by lowering the internal temperature further. Thus, the approach of using blankets and warm fluids is both safe and effective for treating hypothermia.