The temperature of 36.5 to 37 degrees Celsius is ideal for the human body. Then it works better. Our metabolism and the proper functioning of our organs depend on our body temperature, and it does everything it can to maintain it at normal levels.

However, the body can only do this up to a point. More than five million people die every year from extreme heat or cold.

Whether or not our body has the right temperature depends on the receptors. If the temperature drops sharply, it tries to activate the metabolism to maintain a balance. Metabolism supplies us with the necessary nutrients. It makes sure that food is broken down and converted so that the cells can use the nutrients. In addition, metabolism warms the body and blood circulation plays an important role in this process.

The risk of hypothermia

However, the blood vessels constrict in the cold and thus not enough blood can be transported, resulting in pain. At first on fingers and toes, nose and ears. If the body temperature continues to drop, vital organs such as the heart, lungs and brain follow. They only work to a limited extent.

If the body temperature drops even two degrees then we speak of hypothermia. For reasons of self-protection, the body works more intensively. The muscles are activated and a tremor begins.

At 32 degrees Celsius the shivering stops, but this is not a good sign. The body no longer has energy. The brain and nerve endings do not carry messages and there is a numbness in the hands and feet.

During this phase the pain subsides, but we can no longer move, speak and feel confused and disoriented.

What can help with hypothermia?

In extreme temperatures we should protect our body as much as possible. This means warm clothes, hats and gloves, scarves and thick socks. If we know we’ll be dealing with extreme cold for a long time, it’s a good idea to bring the right gear: an emergency blanket and pocket hand warmers.

A sign of hypothermia is the loss of sensation and numbness, especially in the nose and ears, fingers and toes. Heating these parts of the body with a heating pad for example is not a good idea because the vessels can be damaged. Instead of a water bottle, it is better to use warm water to slowly thaw the fingers and toes.

Anyone who thinks they can warm up their body with a little alcohol is wrong. Alcohol may initially give the impression of a pleasant inner warmth but it dilates the blood vessels. Cold, on the other hand, shrinks them. These two extremes often lead to misjudgment. The skin may feel warm, but the body is cold and we may not realize it at first.

Finally, if the body temperature drops below 29.5 degrees Celsius, the brain stops working. Our heart works less and instead of 60 beats per minute, it only beats once or twice. Blood can no longer flow quickly through the body and death from the cold is almost certain.