What condition is characterized by a subnormal body temperature and confusion?

Hypothermia is a condition that occurs when the body loses heat more quickly than it can produce it, leading to a dangerously low body temperature. This typically happens in cold environments or through exposure to wet and windy conditions. The body's normal temperature is around 98.6°F (37°C), and when it drops below 95°F (35°C), it can lead to severe physiological effects.

Confusion is one of the hallmark symptoms of hypothermia. As the body's core temperature declines, its ability to function normally diminishes, leading to cognitive impairments, such as confusion, drowsiness, and slurred speech. Other symptoms may include shivering, weakness, and a slow heart rate. These effects occur because hypothermia impacts the body's nervous system, which in turn affects communication and coordination.

In contrast, heat exhaustion is associated with symptoms stemming from overheating, dehydration, and electrolyte loss, rather than the cooling effects seen in hypothermia. Dehydration leads to a lack of fluids in the body but does not typically cause the body temperature to drop below normal levels. Heat cramps involve muscle pains associated primarily with exertion in hot conditions, which have different symptoms that do not include confusion or low body temperature.