Burning body with high temperature?
It might be Hyperthermia!
When the body temperature is very high, it is referred to as hyperthermia or overheating. Hypothermia occurs when your body is too cold, which is the opposite of it. The word “hyperthermia” is a catch-all. It occurs when your body creates or absorbs more heat than it can release.
A person’s body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit on average. Typically, hyperthermia results from overexertion in hot, humid conditions.
The basic precaution one can take to avoid hyperthermia is to keep yourself hydrated. And stay aware of when your body’s showing signs of Hyperthermia.
Is Hyperthermia a Fever?
Hyperthermia is not the same as a fever. A part of our brain, the hypothalamus regulates our body temperature. It sets temperature around 37°C, which is a normal body temperature.
When our body detects an infection of a virus or bacteria, it raises its temperature. It could be anywhere between 37.2°C to 37.8°C, or higher, 38.3°C.
This happens because our body attempts to throw off the infection. It’s an immune system reaction and once the infection goes, it sets the temperature back to normal.
With Hyperthermia, the temperature rises due to the heat coming from the environment. It occurs when the body’s natural cooling mechanism like sweating isn’t enough. Hyperthermia can cause the body’s temperature to rise above 41°C in certain cases. This happens due to Heat Stroke and can be deadly.
Medication can help with fever but will be ineffective with hyperthermia.
Hypothermia is another condition where the body’s temperature lowers above normal. Often this term is confused with Hyperthermia. Long-term exposure to extremely low temperatures can lead to it.
The body starts to lose heat more quickly than it is able to create when exposed to cold temperatures. The body’s energy stores are eventually depleted by prolonged exposure. It results in a decrease in body temperature below 35°C.
Stop Overheating Before It Strikes: Symptoms & Signs
Dizziness, dehydration, and weakness are the primary symptoms of hyperthermia. But, mainly it depends on the extent of the body’s overheating or the stage of hyperthermia. The stages of hyperthermic conditions are:
· Heat Stress:
Heat stress occurs when your body temperature rises and it’s unable to cool off through sweating. You may experience besides being uncomfortably hot:
o Dizziness
o Weakness
o Nausea
o Thirst
o A Headache
The best way be relieve yourself from heat stress is to get to a cooler area and rest. Drink water with electrolytes to regulate your heart rate and nerve function.
· Heat Fatigue:
Experiencing bodily pain and emotional stress while spending long hours in high heat? You could have heat fatigue. People who aren’t acclimated to hot weather or working environments are more at risk.
You can not only feel hot, thirsty, and exhausted but also:
o Having trouble concentrating on your work
o Could even become uncoordinated
o You will feel the strain on your physical and mental health.
Get out of the heat and drink some water to help you cool off. The best way to avoid heat fatigue is by gradually acclimating to working or exercising in a hot environment.
· Heat Syncope:
Syncope, often known as fainting. It happens when your blood pressure drops and your brain receives less blood for a brief period.
Heat Syncope happens if you’ve been working out in a hot atmosphere. Using a beta-blocker to reduce your blood pressure makes you more likely to get Heat Syncope.
Often, lightheadedness or dizziness comes before fainting. When you feel as if you’re about to pass out, calm down and relax, you might avoid really losing consciousness. Raising your legs can be beneficial.
Rehydrating is crucial, just like with any other heat-related disease. Any liquid will do, although water or sports drinks with electrolytes are recommended.
· Heat Cramps:
Heat cramps occur after strenuous activity or work in the heat. They affect the muscles of the belly, legs, or arms and are caused by an electrolyte imbalance.
Rest in a cool area and make sure to rehydrate the electrolytes and fluids you lose to assist treat heat cramps. Cooling gel pads are very useful in relieving muscle cramps caused by high heat.
· Heat Edema:
Heat Edema can occur if you spend a lot of time standing or sitting in the heat and are not acclimated to it. Your ankles, lower legs, or hands may swell as a result.
Your extremities’ fluid accumulation is the cause of the swelling. The aldosterone-stimulated reabsorption of salt into the blood by the kidneys may be responsible for this reaction.
Heat Edema goes away on its own once you become adjusted to the heated surroundings. Slowing down, relaxing, and consuming enough water and electrolytes are useful.
· Heat Rash:
Long-term physical activity in the heat can result in the skin developing red bumps. These bumps can sometimes be filled with fluid and give an itchy feeling. They typically manifest themselves beneath sweat-soaked garments. Use cooling powders for your prickly heat.
Usually, heat rash goes away on its own as you cool off or change into fresh clothing. If the skin is not allowed to cool down quickly after the rash appears, infection could result.
Treat your prickly heat using cooling powders, it could get worse if you scratch them.
· Heat Exhaustion:
When your body can no longer cool itself, heat exhaustion sets in. It’s crucial to rest and hydrate as soon as you start experiencing symptoms. This is the final phase before heat stroke, which is the most serious stage. You could encounter:
o Dizziness
o Weakness
o Coordination issues
o Thirst
o Difficulty focusing
o Chilly and clammy skin
o A fast heartbeat
Seek quick medical assistance if your symptoms don’t seem to be getting better.
· Heat Stroke:
Heat Stroke can be fatal. When your body temperature rises beyond 104°F (40°C), heat stroke can occur. Delayed treatment of other heat-related disorders can also result in Heat Stroke.
The initial symptom is fainting. Other indications and symptoms are:
o Irritability
o Coordination problems
o Confusion
o Reduced perspiration
o Flushed skin
o Slow or fast heartbeat
A serious medical condition that happens due to Heat Stroke is Rhabdomyolysis. It is a kidney injury caused by a protein secreted by damaged skeletal muscle cells.
What causes Hyperthermia?
Hyperthermia sets in when the body can no longer expel enough heat to maintain a normal temperature.
The body uses a variety of defence mechanisms to release extra heat. Breathing, sweating, and boosting blood flow to the skin’s surface are common mechanisms.
This can’t happen if the outside environment is warmer than the inside of the body. Because humid air can’t accept heat from the skin and evaporate sweat.
As the overheating worsens, the body loses an increasing amount of moisture and electrolytes. This causes lowered blood pressure and reduced sweating.
The main cause of Hyperthermia is physical exercise in hot and humid weather. It causes:
o Rise in blood pressure due to high oxygen delivery to working tissues
o Increased body temperature.
In some cases, Hyperthermia also happens while someone is not working or exercising. This happens during extreme heat waves.
Low-sodium diets can put you more quickly into Hyperthermia than your normal diet. While being on a certain medication can affect the body’s ability to cool down. Tolerance for high temperature is hindered, insufficient or sometimes even at rest. The medications to be aware of are:
o Diuretics for treating blood pressure
o Antihistamines, Antipsychotics and beta-blockers for Central Nervous System Treatment
o Stimulants, Sedatives and Tranquilizers.
One other cause of Hyperthermia can be damage to the central nervous system from:
o Brain Haemorrhage
o Traumatic Brain Injury
o Status Epilepticus
o Other kinds of injuries to the Hypothalamus.
Wearing tight and heavy clothing in hot weather will cause the body’s temperature to rise. This leads to sweating a lot and losing those crucial electrolytes. You may experience Hyperthermia due to this.
Who’s more prone to Hyperthermia?
Hyperthermia affects some people more than others. They can be farmers, workers and others who work strenuous hours in the heat.
Firefighters and people who work around the fire are other groups that are most prone to Hyperthermia. Miners are also more easily affected since they work in close proximity to Earth’s core. Militants and first responders who wear protective gear get encapsulated in heat. This decreases their vapour permeability and leads to Hyperthermia. Doctors who have to wear PPE kits while fighting viruses will get affected as well.
Then there are children and older adults. Kids are hyperactive, they play hard in the sun. They don’t think to take a break between their games or cool off. Not drinking enough water and over-exertion leads them to Hyperthermia. Older adults often don’t pay much attention to temperature changes. It results in them not responding to environmental change timely.
Some people with certain medical conditions like heart conditions are more at risk. Hyperthermia can affect them more severely. Other such medical conditions are:
o Immune Conditions
o Blood Pressure or Circulation Conditions
o Lung, Kidney and Liver Conditions
o Dehydration, mainly Chronic Dehydration
o Metabolic Conditions
o Diabetes
o Sweat Gland or Sweating Conditions
o Obesity
o Excessive Alcohol Consumption Habit
o Smoking
o Being Underweight
o Gastroenteritis
Hyperthermia can also be caused due to overconsumption of drugs. It includes all types of illicit drugs such as marijuana. In some cases, one can face severe issues while smoking the drug and walking under the scorching sun. They can be presented with delirium, hot, red and dry skin, and high body temperature. Such conditions can be life-threatening or permanently damaging in some cases.
Sports personnel are also at high risk because they exert lots of physical energy. The sports that increase the risk of Hyperthermia are:
o Football
o Soccer
o Rugby
o Cricket
o Marathon or long-distance running
o Hiking
o Biking
Take Time to Cool Off
Major treatment involves moving to a cool, shady area with good ventilation. It is suggested to stay hydrated to avoid loss of electrolytes. Other things that work with mild to moderate Hyperthermia are:
o Loose or remove the excess clothing to cool down
o Take a cool bath or shower, it helps to drop the body’s temperature significantly
o Apply a cold, damp towel to the top of your head
o Run your wrist under the cool water for 60 seconds or some more according to your need
o Don’t resume your work until your symptoms go away
o Place cooling pads under your arms and groin area
o Lay down when you feel disoriented or like passing out
o Mist cool water on the person and blow air all over the body. This technique is called Evaporative cooling.
But these methods of treatment won’t work if you are experiencing Heat Stroke. It’s a deadly stage of Hyperthermia. You can have organ failure, seizure or coma even. Seek immediate medical attention, and by the time help arrives, get first aid as well. Doctors may provide cold and electrolyte-containing intravenous fluid. The patients are monitored until the temperature returns to normal or a safe level.
Don’t Burn-in: Prevent Hyperthermia
Recognising the hazards associated with working or playing in excessively hot weather is the first step in preventing hyperthermia. Precautions to take to deal with Hyperthermia include:
o Drink plenty of water and avoid intense physical activity
o Avoid prolonged exposure to the heat
o Take time to adapt your body to the high temperatures
o Wear lightweight, light-coloured clothing in the hot environment
o Always take cool-down breaks in between if your work comprises going into high temperatures.
A Few Words for You
We may have faced exhaustion from high heat a time or two, but not all of us were aware it was due to Hyperthermia. It is important to make people know about it by the going time because we all know this heat will keep rising. The chances of getting heat stroke will be much higher than it is now. Take precautions and visit this site Healthmug, which I stumbled upon while searching for price-efficient products. Good thing? They offer free online consultations as well.
Stay Safe and “Beat the Heat [Your inner hotness ;)]”
