From the Research
Feeling cold in warm temperatures after a hypoxic brain injury and cardiac arrest is likely related to autonomic nervous system dysfunction, which can be managed with layered clothing, warm environments, and medical evaluation for potential autonomic dysfunction symptoms 1. This symptom is a common complaint among patients who have experienced hypoxic brain injury and cardiac arrest, and it is essential to address it to improve the patient's quality of life. The autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions, including temperature regulation, can be damaged during brain hypoxia, leading to impaired thermoregulation, altered peripheral blood flow, or changes in how the brain processes temperature signals.
Some key points to consider in managing this symptom include:
- Maintaining a consistently warm environment to help regulate body temperature
- Using electric blankets or heating pads with caution to prevent burns if sensation is also affected
- Engaging in gentle physical activity to increase core body temperature when feeling cold
- Medical evaluation to assess for potential autonomic dysfunction symptoms and to discuss treatment options, such as medications like certain beta-blockers, alpha-2 agonists, or calcium channel blockers
- Physical therapy to improve circulation and overall physical function
It is crucial to discuss this symptom with healthcare providers, as it may be part of a broader post-hypoxic autonomic dysfunction that could affect other bodily systems and may improve with time as the brain continues to recover, even six months post-injury 2, 3. Additionally, recent studies have highlighted the importance of neuroprognostication after cardiac arrest, emphasizing the need for cautious interpretation of available information and sufficiently long clinical observation 1.