Heat-induced illness: Signs, remedies, and triggers
In the sweltering heat of summer, it's essential to be aware of heat-related illnesses, with hyperthermia being one of the most critical. This condition occurs when the body's heat-regulation system becomes overwhelmed, causing a person's internal temperature to rise above 104°F (40°C).
Hyperthermia encompasses a range of heat-related conditions, including heatstroke and heat exhaustion. Understanding their causes, symptoms, and treatments is crucial for effective management and prevention.
Heatstroke is a dangerous condition that can lead to serious complications. It is often caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures or humidity, especially in direct sunlight. Strenuous physical activity in hot environments or taking certain medications that impair the body's ability to cool itself can also trigger heatstroke.
Common symptoms of heatstroke include a high body temperature, no sweating, headache, nausea and vomiting, mental confusion, and loss of consciousness. If left untreated, heatstroke can cause irreversible damage to the brain, kidneys, and muscles.
Preventing heatstroke and heat-related illnesses involves staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous activities in hot conditions, wearing light clothing, and using cooling devices or shaded areas when possible. It's also important to acclimate gradually to hot weather and avoid peak heat hours.
Heat exhaustion is less severe than heatstroke but can be a precursor to it if not treated promptly. Symptoms include heavy sweating, headache, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and weakness. To treat heat exhaustion, resting in a cool place and drinking water with added electrolytes can help replenish fluids. Gentle cooling methods like fanning or using cool cloths can also be effective.
Whole-body hyperthermia is a therapeutic technique used intentionally to treat conditions like cancer and fibromyalgia. It involves controlled elevation of body temperature for therapeutic purposes.
In the hospital, doctors may give intravenous fluids containing electrolytes and possibly chilled fluids to individuals with heat-related illnesses. They will closely monitor individuals until symptoms resolve and their body temperature returns to a safe level, which can take several hours.
If a person thinks they or someone else may have heat exhaustion, they should move them to a cool place and try to cool them down with a cool bath and a cool cloth, and sip cool water. If someone suspects heatstroke or symptoms persist, they must call 911 immediately. Another person will have to help if the individual with heatstroke is unconscious or very disorientated.
Activities that carry risks for heat-related illness include marathon or long-distance running or hiking, intense physical sports, the use of saunas, hot tubs, and steam rooms, jobs involving heat exposure, and resting during extreme heat waves.
It is important to learn more about hyperthermia and heat-related illnesses to prevent and treat them properly. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments of heat-related illnesses, we can stay safe and healthy during the summer months.
- Heatstroke, a dangerous condition causing irreversible damage, can be prevented by avoiding strenuous activities in hot conditions, staying hydrated, using cooling devices, and acclimating gradually to hot weather.
- Under the medical-conditions umbrella, whole-body hyperthermia is a therapeutic technique intentionally used to treat certain diseases like cancer and fibromyalgia.
- In a medical emergency, CBD (cannabidiol) is not an effective treatment for heat-related illnesses like heatstroke or heat exhaustion.
- Mental therapies and treatments can help manage the stress and anxiety associated with fitness-and-exercise-related heat exhaustion.
- To effectively manage heat-related conditions, it's crucial to understand the causes, symptoms, and treatments for conditions such as hyperthermia, heatstroke, and heat exhaustion.
