Illnesses and diseases are a part of life but treating them on time make our life journey smooth. The problem with humans is that we take few illnesses very seriously and few very lightly. The diseases we take very lightly can sometimes cause irreversible damage. One such disease is Hyperthermia or heat stroke
Hyperthermia is a scientific name for heat stroke. This problem is widespread among middle-aged and older people. But a lousy diet (alcohol, salt, and red meat) leads to heatstroke. People can control the condition by regulating all factors contributing to the disease.
Medical doctors and services like Carrie’s Healing Cafe are available to manage diseases. They help people heal from within and get the maximum energy required to live peacefully and healthily. Relying on doctors and doctors to manage diseases is not enough. You should know everything about your condition.
The complete guide to hyperthermia is here; read and understand everything about it.
Let’s Start With The Basics
Before going deep down into the details of hyperthermia, let’s just start with the basics of it. First of all, the definition. Hyperthermia is abnormal body temperature. It happens due to the high heat of the environment. The body fails to maintain homeostatic conditions during hyperthermia. It occurs when a person is exposed to severe heat without protection or preventive measures.
A severe case of hyperthermia results in heat stroke and can be fatal. A less severe case results in heat cramps and dehydration.
The body’s normal temperature is 98.6 Fahrenheit. In hyperthermia, the body’s temperature can go up to 99 F or above.
Difference Between Types of Hyperthermia
There are different types of hyperthermia. Including but not limited to heat stroke, malignant hyperthermia, heat stress, and heat exhaustion.
The first type of hyperthermia is heat stroke, one of the most dangerous and fatal. In heat stroke, the body’s temperature rise above 104 Fahrenheit and become lethal at 106 F.
The next type is malignant hyperthermia. This is a genetic condition. In this condition, your body temperature can rise above the normal range due to the sedative given for the surgery.
Heat cramps are the most basic type of hyperthermia. In heat cramps, your body sweats a lot and loses electrolytes, and it occurs mainly in your upper and lower limbs.
Heat stress is due to your working environment. People who spend a lot of time in the heat can develop the condition of heat stress, which leads to heat stroke.
Heat exhaustion is a condition in which the body’s temperature starts to elevate from 98.6 F and goes up to 104 F. After exhaustion, heat stroke is the next step if not controlled timely.
Hyperthermia in Relation To Age
Older adults are most vulnerable to hyperthermia. Older adults are affected by this disease because the older the person is, the lesser they sweat. Less sweating is linked with low blood circulation hence disruption in homeostasis.
But as hyperthermia is linked with temperature, it can happen to anyone. There are certain conditions that make a person prone to hyperthermia, such as kidney and lung issues.
Are Hyperthermia and Fever the Same?
One can think of both illnesses as one because of the temperature rise. But fever and hyperthermia have a slight difference. The hypothalamus part of the brain controls the body’s temperature. In fever and hyperthermia, the temperature is elevated. But in fever, the temperature rises because of the hypothalamus’s intentional steps to fight an infection or disease.
Symptoms of Hyperthermia
Different types of hyperthermia show different symptoms. Learning each type’s symptoms is essential to act to save the patient promptly. Each symptom of hyperthermia is dangerous and subjective to its type. Doctors and medical experts advise people to look for these symptoms and act accordingly.
Symptoms of Heat Stroke
- High body temperature (104 F and above)
- Rapid pulse
- Anhydrous
- Headache
- Abnormal Blood pressure
- Delirium ( confusion)
- Seizures
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Loss of heed or Syncope
Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
- Excessive sweating
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Syncope
- Weakness
- Pale skin
- Symptoms of Heat Cramps
- Muscle pain
- Muscle spasm in lower and upper limbs
- Excessive sweating in upper and lower limbs
Preventive Measures
Hyperthermia is easily avoidable if it is not genetic. The best way to prevent hyperthermia is to stay hydrated in hot weather. Wearing light-colored and lightweight clothes, staying indoors, and taking rest are some ways to avoid hyperthermia. Avoiding heat in summers is another essential thing to avoid hyperthermia.
Treatment
If someone is suffering from hyperthermia, there are few things to do to save the person.
First of all, take the person to someplace cooler and under shade.
Pour water on the patient’s body or ask them to shower. Wiping a patient’s body with wet sponges is also very effective.
After wiping with water or showering, it is advised to put the patient under a fan to start the cooling. This process will take down the body’s temperature effectively.
Use a cold, wet cloth to cover the patient’s groin, armpits, and limbs.
Give the affected person intravenous fluids to recover all the electrolytes lost due to excessive sweating.
Most importantly, there is nothing better than taking the patient to the nearest emergency. Take the patient to the hospital and let the doctors do their job.
Conclusion
Recovery from every disease is not always smooth. And it can be challenging for a person, so taking preventive measures is necessary.
In the case of hyperthermia, taking preventive measures is the best you can do. But if you suffer from it anyway, try to read your symptoms and take the necessary treatment measures. Doctors prescribe and approve the treatment mentioned above ways for hyperthermia.
After passing the initial first aid process, the road to recovery can be covered by getting consultation from experts. Carrie’s healing cafe is one way to do that. The healing cafe provides immune-building education. The consultancy can help people recover from disease and build the walls of their immune system higher.