predisposition

Last reviewed 01/2018

Hypothermia can be predisposed to by a variety of factors more subtle than direct pathological factors.

These include:

  • anything that causes falls
  • any cause of nocturia - thus falls whilst lightly dressed
  • socio-economic concerns
    • poverty and anxiety about paying bills
    • poor quality housing - the poorest housing in the UK is occupied by the elderly and students
  • cultural factors - the acceptance of being cold as the norm
  • neonatal period