Resolved question:
can you tell me please if inserting a cannula in the left wrist is accepted protocol for treating hypothermia? Today I had hypothermia and a cannula was inserted in my left wrist by an ambulance crewmember.
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4 Days
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Hello, hypothermia is a potentially dangerous condition where your body temperature drops below 95 degrees (normal body temperature average 98.6 degrees). The main causes are cold exposure, diabetes, thyroid, medications, severe trauma, using drugs, alcohol. During hypothermia, the hypothalamus, which is the brain s temperature control center, raises the body temperature by triggering processes that heat and cool the body. So there will be a vasoconstriction of blood vessels. The activity of the heart and liver produces most of the body s heat. Symptoms are shivering, shallow breathing, confusion, memory loss, drowsiness, slurred speech, slow weak pulse. In severe hypothermia, individual may be unconscious without signs of breathing or a pulse. A specialized thermometer available in AE rooms can diagnose hypothermia. It is treated by first checking temperature, consumption of warm liquids, using warm blankets. In regard to your question, yes it is acceptable to place a cannula in the left wrist for IV fluids. Once the condition is stabilized then the cannula is removed. Thank you