Hypothermia | Video

Amy Fox | 1/21/2013

With the extreme cold temperatures going on in North Dakota, it`s important to know a thing or two about hypothermia. Hypothermia is a condition causing a change in your total body core temperature.

A normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees, plus or minus one degree. But, with the extreme cold temperatures, it doesn`t take long for your body to fall below 94 degrees.

Hypothermia can cause problems with your metabolism, organs, and blood flow. One of the leading causes of hypothermia is alcohol abuse.

"Usually the instances you see are people who are intoxicated. You know, zero to negative 10 degrees is very unfriendly to drunk people. You know if you passed out in Orlando tonight, you`d probably get hypothermia and likely survive. If you passed out, tonight, in Minot, you wouldn`t survive it. It`s just the nature of it," said Dr. Lane Lee, Trinity Health Trauma Surgeon.

Lee says when temperatures are this low, it`s important to wear clothing that`s made for the extreme cold temperatures.

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