What is Hyperthermia? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments You Needto Know
Though it's usually welcomed after
long winters, summertime—and the hot temperatures that come with it—can pose
some pretty significant health risks. And if you're planning on spending time
outside right now in excessive heat, it's essential to educate yourself about heat-related illnesses, commonly known as
hyperthermia.
Overall, "extreme heat is
defined as summertime temperatures that are much hotter and/or more humid than
average," the CDC explains on
its website. The agency also says that "humid and muggy conditions can
make it seem hotter than it really is," and that there's no set standard
for what's considered excessive heat, because some place are hotter than
others, and higher-than-normal temperatures are measured by what's considered
average for a particular area.
Here's what you need to know about
hyperthermia in the summertime, including what the symptoms of heat illnesses
are, and how you can prevent and treat them.
What
is hyperthermia?
Hyperthermia is a catch-all phrase
for heat-related illnesses, according to the National
Institutes of Health (NIH). The agency adds that, in general,
hyperthermia is "an abnormally high body temperature caused by a failure
of the heat-regulating mechanisms of the body to deal with the heat coming from
the environment."
It's the opposite of hypothermia, a
condition in which the body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, leading
to a dangerously low body temperature, per the CDC.
"Hyperthermia occurs when core
body temperature is markedly elevated or above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees
Fahrenheit),” Sara Hogan, MD,
health sciences clinical instructor at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine
at UCLA and dermatologist at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, tells Health.
“Hypothermia occurs when core body temperature is 35 degrees Celsius (95
degrees Fahrenheit) or lower, often when body heat is lost to a cold
environment.”
The most commonly known forms of
hyperthermia or heat-related illness—which exist on a spectrum—include: heat
fatigue, heat syncope, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Some forms of hyperthermia—like heat
exhaustion and heat stroke—are worse than others.
"Depending on how high
your body temperature gets, there is risk it can become
life-threatening," Ula Hwang, MD,
an emergency medicine doctor at Yale Medicine and professor at Yale School of
Medicine, tells Health. In these cases, a person's body temperature
rises faster than it can cool itself down—up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or
higher—which can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs, per the CDC.
While hyperthermia is most commonly
associated with exposure to outdoor heat on a very hot, humid day, or
over-exerting yourself in high temperatures, Dr. Hwang adds that it can also
occur while "being indoors in an extremely hot room for a long time."
Who's
most at risk for hyperthermia?
There are also a number of chronic
conditions—such as heart, kidney or lung disease—that can make you more
susceptible to the complications from hyperthermia.
What
are the symptoms of hyperthermia?
Because hyperthermia includes all
heat-related illnesses, the signs and symptoms are varied. According to the
CDC, the symptoms for the different types of hyperthermia include:
of heat stroke:
- An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
- Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Throbbing headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Unconsciousness
Signs
of heat exhaustion:
- Heavy sweating
- Paleness
- Muscle cramps
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fainting
Signs
of heat cramps:
- Muscle pain or spasms in the abdomen, arms, or legs.
Signs
of heat rash:
- Red clusters of pimples or small blisters on the neck, chest/underneath the breasts, groin, or elbow creases
How
can you prevent hyperthermia and how is it treated?
Fortunately, hyperthermia can be
easily avoided and many cases can be treated without long-term complications.
"Hyperthermia can be prevented by wearing lightweight clothing, staying
hydrated, seeking shade and taking time to rest in hot weather,” says Dr.
Hogan. “If you must be outside, stay in cooler and shaded places (use an
umbrella) and wear light-colored clothing,” adds Dr. Hwang.
However, If you suspect that someone
is suffering from a heat-related illness, NIH suggests taking the following
steps for treatment:
- Get the person out of the heat and urge them to lie down in a shady, air-conditioned, or other cool place.
- Encourage the individual to shower, bathe or sponge off with cool water.
- Apply a cold, wet cloth to the wrists, neck, armpits, and/or groin.
- If the person can swallow safely, offer fluids such as water, fruit and vegetable juices, but avoid alcohol and caffeine.
More severe forms of hyperthermia,
like heat stroke, can also be fatal. If heat stroke is suspected, the NIH
suggests seeking immediate emergency medical attention by calling 911. Once the
person is in medical care, treatment techniques vary but can include immersion
in cold water, cooling blankets, or intravenous fluids to address dehydration,
says Dr. Hwang.