What Are Hypo Units?

The term "hypo unit" is a short form of "hyperthermia/hypothermia unit." These units are blankets or pads used in hospitals, in clinics and by medical professionals to manipulate patients' body temperatures. These units can help return the body temperature of patients suffering from hyperthermia (extreme heat) or hypothermia (extreme cold) to normal, help prevent the negative effects of extreme changes in body temperature, and reduce body temperature for surgery.

Manipulating Body Temperature

• When medical professionals input the desired temperature on a controller, a solution circulates through the hypo unit to bring it to the desired temperature. The unit then is applied to the patient to raise or lower his temperature. To prevent burns or discomfort, medical professionals usually cover the patient in a blanket or bath towel before applying the hypo unit.

Returning Body Temperature to Normal

• One of the primary uses of a hypo unit is to restore a patient's body temperature to normal levels. This may be done if a patient's temperature falls below 97.8 degrees or rises above 99 degrees. If a patient's temperature is outside of this normal range for a long time or by a great amount, then complications can arise.

Countering Temperature Extremes

• Medical professionals sometimes use hypo units to help patients avoid the ill effects of extreme body temperatures. Extremely high body temperatures over 105.8 degrees can cause heat rashes, heat cramps and heat stroke (which can damage the kidneys, heart and brain). A body temperature between 75 and 95 degrees can cause hypothermia. Once temperature falls below 86 degrees, the patient begins to lose consciousness and muscle control, and breathing and pulse rates decrease.

Use in Surgery

• Sometimes medical professionals need to lower a patient's body temperature in preparation for surgery, and they use a hypo unit to do this. When a person's body temperature is lowered from 98.6 degrees, vital organs (such as the heart) can survive with less blood supply. This gives a surgeon more time to operate.