Extreme cold and heat temperatures can have severe consequences on the body as well as hinder the physiological processes of the human body in innumerable ways. When the human body is experiencing extreme levels of Heat; such as a heat wave, damage can occur to the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver. In cold weather, the body can lose heat faster than it is produced, which uses up stored energy and can lead to hypothermia. Hypothermia happens at extremely low temperatures while not wearing protective clothing’s; when the core body temperature is less than <95oF (<35oC).
In extreme high temperatures, side effects can be the dilation of blood vessels near the surface of the skin, as well as kidney failure from stressed kidneys. Heat stroke occurs once the body temperatures reach 104°F (40°C). Anything below those temperatures is considered heat exhaustion; a far less severe …show more content…
This man was fully healthy with no prior medical conditions. The death investigation team concluded that he had been dropped off at the wrong residence after leaving a tavern. The ambient temperature at the estimated time of death was -8°F (-22°C). His blood alcohol level was 230 mg/dL (intoxication is legally defined as ≥80 mg/dL in all states). His cause of death was environmental hypothermia with a contributing cause of alcohol intoxication. (Meiman et al., 2015).
In this case report the man was left outside, in -8°F temperatures, which can cause a dangerous drop in body temperature (Hypothermia). The reason this occurred was prolonged exposure to the cold elements of nature and prolonged periods of heat loss. During prolonged extreme cold temperature exposure, the body starts to shiver as a protective response in order to produce heat through muscle activity. Another heat-preserving response done by the body is called vasoconstriction; the blood vessels temporarily
In extreme high temperatures, side effects can be the dilation of blood vessels near the surface of the skin, as well as kidney failure from stressed kidneys. Heat stroke occurs once the body temperatures reach 104°F (40°C). Anything below those temperatures is considered heat exhaustion; a far less severe …show more content…
This man was fully healthy with no prior medical conditions. The death investigation team concluded that he had been dropped off at the wrong residence after leaving a tavern. The ambient temperature at the estimated time of death was -8°F (-22°C). His blood alcohol level was 230 mg/dL (intoxication is legally defined as ≥80 mg/dL in all states). His cause of death was environmental hypothermia with a contributing cause of alcohol intoxication. (Meiman et al., 2015).
In this case report the man was left outside, in -8°F temperatures, which can cause a dangerous drop in body temperature (Hypothermia). The reason this occurred was prolonged exposure to the cold elements of nature and prolonged periods of heat loss. During prolonged extreme cold temperature exposure, the body starts to shiver as a protective response in order to produce heat through muscle activity. Another heat-preserving response done by the body is called vasoconstriction; the blood vessels temporarily