Heat stroke: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

Content:

Heat stroke, also known as hyperthermia, is a situation in which there is deregulation in the functioning of the mechanism that promotes the regulation of body temperature, which causes an increase in body temperature, which is above 40ºC, alteration of the heartbeat, rapid breathing, dizziness, headache and convulsions, in the most severe cases.

This situation can happen in babies and the elderly, who have less activity of this mechanism, or be a consequence of intense physical activity in a very hot environment without air conditioning.

Regardless of the cause, treatment for hospitalization must be started quickly to avoid complications that can compromise the person's life, and it is essential to gradually cool the body.

heat stroke symptoms

The symptoms of heat stroke can take between a few hours and 3 days, depending on the related cause, to appear, the main ones being:

  • Increase in body temperature, in most cases above 40ºC;
  • There may or may not be sweat;
  • Faster breathing;
  • Change in heart rate;
  • Dizziness and headache;
  • Difficulty maintaining balance;
  • Loss of motor coordination;
  • Convulsion and coma, in the most severe cases.

Hospitalization is a medical emergency and, therefore, it is important that the doctor is consulted so that an evaluation of the symptoms can be carried out and the treatment started, as this way it is possible to avoid complications that may be related to the deregulation of the body's cooling mechanism. and high temperature, such as destruction of muscle fibers, changes in the functioning of the kidneys, lungs, liver and heart and hemorrhages.

Main causes

Heat stroke happens due to dysregulation of the body's cooling function, resulting in excessive temperature elevation. This situation is in most cases related to the practice of intense physical activity and in an environment that is not air-conditioned, resulting in a high thermal load, which leads to the development of symptoms and increases the risk of muscle fiber destruction and alterations. kidneys.

However, in some cases, heat stroke is not related to intense exercise, but rather to clinical conditions that may interfere with the body's cooling process, being more common in babies, the elderly, people with mental illness or those with heart disease. serious, especially when they are in an environment without air conditioning during heat waves.

how is the treatment

Treatment for hospitalization should be started as soon as the first symptoms appear, and the body should be cooled gradually, which can be done by staying in a shady and well-ventilated place, removing excess clothing, spraying cold water in the body and drink water.

If the person has lost consciousness, it is essential that they be referred to the hospital so that supportive measures can be initiated and complications can be prevented more effectively. In some cases, medication may be indicated to relieve symptoms and combat possible changes in the organs.