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Last updated on Tuesday, December 23, 2008
(UNDATED) - As Indiana is in the grips of a major cold snap, hypothermia is a major concern.
Indianapolis' Methodist Hospital emergency room physician Dr. Tim Ellender says hypothermia is simply a drop in core body temperature. He says there are three stages, mild, moderate and severe, which depend on the core body temperature.
Ellender says most Hoosier cases of hypothermia are victims of car accidents exposed to cold weather for a long period of time or exposed to cold water.
He says the main early symptom is shivering, followed by the slowing of brain function, with the worst being a stupor.
Ellender adds it doesn't have to be extremely cold to suffer from hypothermia, he says its possible just under 50 degrees. He says if you feel the symptoms, get out of the elements if possible and take off any wet clothing and use blankets or warm water to increase your body temperature.
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