Hyperthermia

From Freepedia

Hyperthermia
ICD-10 code: T67
ICD-9 code: 780.6

Hyperthermia, also known as heat stroke or sunstroke, is an acute condition resulting from the body producing or absorbing more heat than it can dissipate, usually due to excessive exposure to heat. The homeothermal regulatory mechanisms eventually become overwhelmed and unable to effectively deal with the heat, and body temperature climbs uncontrollably. This is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate hospitalization. Body temperatures above 40 °C (104 °F) are life-threatening. At 41 °C (106 °F), brain death begins, and at 45 °C (113 °F) death is nearly certain. Internal temperatures above 50 °C (122 °F) will cause rigidity in the muscles and certain, immediate death.

Image:Hyperthermia collapse.jpg Signs include increasing body temperature (hyperpyrexia), dehydration (often with lack of sweating), seizures, collapse, and decreased consciousness which proceeds rapidly to multi-organ failure and death as the brain "cooks".

Heat stroke follows a less life-threatening condition commonly referred to as heat exhaustion or heat prostration, and may come on suddenly. Vigilance is required in order to prevent and treat this rapidly dangerous condition. The first symptom of a serious heat stroke may be that the victim has stopped sweating. Because the evaporation of water is endothermic, body heat is normally taken away by the evaporation of sweat. When the body is no longer capable of sweating, core temperature begins to rise, immediately and swiftly. The victim will become confused, often hostile, and may seem drunk. The body temperature must be lowered immediately, and the victim must be hydrated by drinking water or by intravenous fluids. Other substances may be used in place of water if absolutely necessary; however, alcohol and caffeine should be avoided, because of their diuretic properties.

Hyperthermia can be intentionally produced for medical purposes. "Induced hyperthermia" may be used as a cancer treatment to kill or weaken tumor cells, with negligible effects on healthy cells. Tumor cells, with a disorganized and compact vascular structure, have difficulty dissipating heat. These cells may undergo apoptosis in direct response to applied heat while healthy cells can more easily maintain a normal temperature. Carefully controlled hyperthermia is then a very selective treatment. Yet even if the cancerous cells do not die outright, they are more susceptible to ionizing radiation treatments or to certain chemotherapies which allows the latter treatments to be given in smaller doses. A far infrared sauna is an excellent modality to promote hyperthermia.

Contents

Signs and symptoms

  • Markly raised temperature of about 40°C (104°F) or more. Lower temperatures above 37°C (98.6°F) are a serious problem and mean that there is an impending heat-stroke that can only be reversed by first aid and preventative measures.

THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY AND NEEDS IMMEDIATE TREATMENT!

These are the other symptoms

  • Confusion
  • Fainting, faintness, dizziness and weakness. Posteral hypotension (fainting and dizziness on standing up)
  • Fast heart rate (tachycardia)
  • Profuse sweating which will eventually lead to an absence of sweating
  • Red skin or even bluish skin
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Coma/Unconsciousness
  • Convulsions (especially in children in which temperature are often lower than heat-stroke temperatures)
  • Feeling very hot (during the on-set)
  • Chills and shivering is possible
  • Fast breathing
  • Shaking body is possible
  • Loss of appetite
  • Headache
  • Skin may feel hot to touch
  • Temporary Blindness is possible

First aid

  • Remove person from hot area into cooler area
  • Remove excess clothing.
  • Call your local emergency telephone number (999 (United Kingdom), 911 (USA and Canada) or 112 (European Union countries including the United Kingdom and GSM mobiles). Numbers will be different in other countries.
  • Bathe person in cool water, or use a cool shower and then wrap them in a wet towel and use a fan over them. (Remember do not get electric fans wet). (Avoid using a bath for an unconscious person because they may drown, but cool with water spray or showers etc. If a bath is the only thing available, use shallow water if they are unconscious and make sure that the head is above water and they are constantly watched) (Do NOT use freezing water or water too cold)
  • Do NOT give anything by mouth to persons who are unconscious because they could choke.
  • Do NOT give the victim anything by mouth (even water) until the condition has been stabilized
  • Because it can be fatal even after first aid treatment; they shall need to obtain medical treament regardless of whether they appear to be recovering and they must not be left unattended.
  • Monitor their breathing and heart rate.
  • Use cold compresses - especially to the head and neck area, also to armpits and groin.
  • Continue first aid to lower temperature until medical help takes over.
  • Do NOT give any medication to lower fever because it will not be effective and may cause further harm.
  • Do NOT use an alcohol rub.
  • Prepare to follow the instructions of the emergency operator as they may have to instruct you on how to do CPR if there is cardiac arrest. So check pulse and breathing to ensure that they still have a heart beat and are breathing as if they are not - you will need to tell the operator advising you.
  • It is best to keep the person cool until help arrives with cold towels as well as take their temperature to know not to over-cool a person in cool water conditions because of the risk of hypothermia.

Prevention

  • Do NOT leave people in a car in hot weather. Temperatures in the vehicle can reach up to 50°C (122°F) and will quickly kill a person. This applies to animals as well.
  • Do NOT sun-bathe or otherwise stay in the sun for extended periods of time.
  • Do NOT exercise strenuously in the middle of the day in hot weather. Dawn and dusk are safer.
  • Wear light, loose-fitting clothing, such as cotton, so sweat can evaporate. Wear a wide-brimmed hat with vents.
  • Drink plenty of liquids, especially if urine is a dark yellow, to replace fluids lost from sweating. Thirst is not a reliable sign that a person needs fluids. When exercising, it is better to sip rather than gulp liquids. Recall that a person needs 8 glasses of water per day (when not in a hot environment) and thirst means the body is already dehydrated. Avoid drinking enormous amounts of water. Water intoxication is also dangerous.

It is best to drink water or water with salt added if sweating profusely. (Use 1/2 teaspoon salt in 1 quart of water.) Sport drinks such as Gatorade, All Sport and PowerAde are also effective at replacing water and sodium lost through sweating. Do not use this as a first aid for heat stroke.

  • Use air conditioning and fans to cool down.
  • Do NOT use saunas, steam rooms, etc. unattended and for long periods of time and be careful in hot baths.
  • Do NOT drink alcohol or excessive tea/coffee in hot weather as this will affect body temperature.
  • Stay out of the sun if taking water pills, mood altering or antispasmodic medications. Check which ones are safe with a doctor.
  • Be aware of the signs of heat stroke/heat exhaustion and do not ignore them. If you feel ill you may need help promptly.
  • Do NOT over-clothe babies (this is thought to be one of the causes of cot-death).
  • Children, babies, the elderly and the ill are more susceptible to the effects of heat — people who are ill with fevers especially.

Heat index

The temperature outside is one thing to consider. But there is also the humidity factor and also the effects of the sun.

The sun can make it feel about 8°C hotter (15°F). The humidity increases how the weather feels. For instance at 30°C, a humidity factor of 50% can feel like 36°C in the shade (that is 44°C in the sun) — a condition which is typical in the United Kingdom on a hot summer's day, if not even hotter!

There are very rare circumstances in which a person can get similar symptoms but not suffer a heat stroke. An example of this is a 14 year old teenager in the Philippines named Ryan Uy. Although the symptoms stated that it was a heat stroke, Ryan was able to survive and in fact, was able to continue the entire day without collapsing. A possible cause to this is the swallowing of too much chlorine water (he just finished swimming at the time of the his collapse).

See also

External links

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