He heatstroke It is the most serious form of heat-induced illness. Occurs in people exposed to high temperatures for prolonged periods and causing an alteration in the regulation of body temperature with serious consequences for health if action is not taken in time to reverse said situation. Its incidence increases over time due to the increasing frequency of heat waves as a result of the climate change.
What happens in the organism?
Heat stroke causes an alteration in the regulating system of body temperature. It generates a exaggerated increase in body temperaturewhich can exceed 40 degrees, triggering a series of alterations in vital organs that can cause irreversible damage and lead to the death of the individual.
We could simplify by saying that the excess temperature in the body triggers an inflammatory reaction generalized with affectation, in the first instance, on the central nervous system that later extends to the different organs.
Risk factors and vulnerable populations
The appearance of heat stroke is associated with three environmental factors: high temperatures, humidity and absence of wind.
The greater the association between these factors, the greater the possibility of a heat wave occurring. It is usually seen with temperatures above 32 degreesalthough depending on different circumstances it has been observed with lower temperatures, for example in individuals exposed to intense training or work.
This picture can occur both in healthy individuals and in vulnerable populations. In healthy people, , can be present in its active form, characterized by intense training exercises, military training periods, long pilgrimages, or jobs with demanding characteristics under the aforementioned environmental conditions.
A particularly exposed and vulnerable population is one where the body temperature regulation mechanisms may be altered. In them it can occur without the need for physical activity, it is the passive form of heat stroke. Within this population are children, pregnant women, older adults, individuals with neurological diseases, cardiovascular and renal among others. In these individuals, special attention should be paid and extreme prevention measures given their greater predisposition to suffer the consequences of heat stroke.
Special care should be taken with some medications, that in this context, may interfere with the natural mechanisms for temperature regulation. This is the case of patients who use diuretics or antihypertensive drugs that can modify fluid loss and temperature control and therefore accelerate the decompensation process caused by high temperatures.
It will be extremely important in these cases to consult with the treating physician to evaluate whether or not to modify the doses of said medications in the presence of a heat wave.
what are the symptoms
Elevated body temperature is one of the main characteristics of this entity and It can exceed 40 degrees. The affectation of the central nervous system is one of the first organs affected and can be manifested by symptoms such as: headache, dizziness, confusion, irrational behaviour, seizures until reaching loss of consciousness.
Within other warning symptomswhich are usually progressive installation, stand out:
- excessive sweating
- Pale and dry skin
- But intense
- Muscle cramps
- exhaustion, extreme weakness
- Digestive symptoms such as nausea and vomiting,
- Increased heart and respiratory rate
Prevention and treatment measures
Undoubtedly the best treatment for this and other diseases is prevention. Among the most recommended measures are:
- Avoid exposure for prolonged periods to high temperatures between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., especially infants, the elderly, and vulnerable populations with chronic cardiovascular, neurological, psychiatric, renal, and diabetes diseases, among others.
- Wear light clothing, which attracts heat to a lesser extent, loose-fitting, and cover your head with caps or hats
- Drink plenty of fluids, exceeding the usual intake, and adapting it to the type of activity that is carried out, avoiding sugary drinks, coffee and alcohol
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and avoid high-fat, slow-digesting foods
Regarding the treatment of heat stroke and until the medical emergency occurs, the most important factor to control is the drop in body temperatureTherefore, minimizing its duration and magnitude will contribute to the evolution of the patient. Antipyretic drugs should not be used since they can aggravate the basic picture.
cold water immersion, particularly for exercise-induced heat stroke, is very effective in reducing the complications of this condition, although this measure is not always applicable in unstable patients. In vulnerable patients with comorbidities, with passive or classic heat stroke, additional measures are to place cloths with cold water in the armpits, neck and groin and improve the ventilation of the environment.
*Physician, MN 75231
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