Hypothermia and Altered Mental Status: Causes, Risks, and What to Do

When your body temperature drops below 95°F, you’re in hypothermia, a life-threatening condition where your core temperature falls due to prolonged cold exposure. Also known as low body temperature, it doesn’t just make you shiver—it scrambles your brain. That’s where altered mental status, a change in awareness, thinking, or behavior caused by physical stress or illness comes in. People with hypothermia often don’t realize they’re in danger. They may act confused, slurred speech, forget where they are, or even take off their clothes—something called paradoxical undressing. It’s not madness. It’s your brain shutting down from cold.

This combo isn’t rare. Emergency rooms see it every winter, especially in older adults, people with chronic illness, or those who’ve been outside too long without proper gear. Even mild hypothermia can cause mental confusion, a key sign that the body’s core functions are failing. You might think someone is drunk or just tired, but if they’re cold and acting strange, it’s likely hypothermia. And it kills faster than you think. Unlike a heart attack, there’s no siren. No chest pain. Just slow, silent decline—until it’s too late.

The real danger? People ignore early signs. Shivering stops when hypothermia gets worse. That’s not improvement—it’s a red flag. If someone’s stumbling, mumbling, or seems unusually calm in freezing weather, act. Move them indoors. Remove wet clothes. Warm them gently—no hot baths, no rubbing limbs. Call for help. This isn’t just about staying warm. It’s about protecting your brain from cold-induced damage.

Below, you’ll find real-world guides on how cold affects the body, how medications can make hypothermia worse, and why certain conditions like thyroid problems or infections turn small exposures into emergencies. These aren’t theory pieces. They’re from people who’ve seen it happen—patients, paramedics, doctors—and they tell you exactly what to watch for, what to avoid, and when to push for help.