How to Prevent Hyperthermia

How to Prevent Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia means that your body temperature is too high. Hyperthermia is an uncontrolled elevation of body temperature exceeding the body’s ability to dissipate heat.

Hyperthermia occurs when the body overheats and does not cool itself down properly.

This usually happens when you are outside in hot weather for too long.

Hyperthermia can cause different types of heat-related illnesses, some of which can be very serious and even life threatening.

Hyperthermia can result in dangerously high core temperatures and can rapidly become fatal. Rapid diagnosis and prompt cooling are pivotal, since the condition triggers a cascade of metabolic events which may progress to irreversible injury or death. Ice-water immersion and evaporative cooling are the methods of choice.

Heat stroke is an emergency that you cannot treat yourself. If you have symptoms of heat stroke, you should seek immediate medical care. Symptoms of heat stroke may include:

• Fainting.
• Confusion.
• Very hot, red skin.
• Skin that is dry or only moist, instead of sweaty.
• High fever.
• Vomiting.
• Headache.
• Rapid breathing.
• Rapid heartbeat.

What are the causes of Hyperthermia?

Common causes of Hyperthermia include

• heat stroke
• malignant hyperthermia
• serotonin syndrome
• neuroleptic syndrome
• a few endocrine emergencies as well as numerous intoxications

How can I protect myself?

To keep your body cool and prevent hyperthermia:

• Drink lots of fluids, especially water. You should drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow. This helps you know that you are well hydrated.
  • Drink every 15–20 minutes when you are outside in hot weather.
• Avoid exercising in the heat. If you are exercising when it is very hot outside, drink sports drinks to replace the salt that you sweat out.
• Avoid drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol.
• Wear lightweight clothes that fit loosely and are light in color.
• On very hot days, try to stay indoors in air conditioning. If you do not have air conditioning, keep your shades closed and try not to use the oven very much.
• If you are outside on very hot days, take breaks from the heat. Find shade or go indoors.

What actions can be taken?

You can treat mild heat exhaustion and heat cramps yourself by:

• Going indoors and cooling down.
• Drinking plenty of fluids.
• Resting.

What can happen if changes are not made?

You can develop different types of heat-related illnesses if you do not take steps to prevent yourself from getting too hot. You may develop:

• Heat exhaustion. This is when your body cannot sweat enough to cool itself down because you do not have enough fluids and salts in your body. Heat exhaustion may cause you to feel thirsty, dizzy, and tired.
• Heat cramps. These are pains in your muscles that can happen when your muscles lose too much salt from sweating.
• Heat stroke. This is when your body temperature gets higher than 104°F and your body cannot cool itself down. Heat stroke is an emergency that can cause organ damage and even death.

Quick Tips

• Drink 2 to 3 quarts of water daily.
• Avoid exertion or exercise, especially during the hottest part of the day.
• If traveling, allow 2 to 3 weeks in an unusually hot climate before attempting any type of exertion.
• When outside, wear a hat and loose clothing; when indoors, remove as much clothing as needed to be comfortable.
• Take a tepid bath or shower.
• Use cold wet towels or dampen clothing with tepid water when the heat is extreme.
• Avoid hot, heavy meals.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Determine if the person is taking any medications that increase hyperthermia risk; if so, consult with the patient’s physician.

Heat stroke is an emergency that you cannot treat yourself. If you have symptoms of heat stroke, you should seek immediate medical care. Symptoms of heat stroke may include:

• Fainting.
• Confusion.
• Very hot, red skin.
• Skin that is dry or only moist, instead of sweaty.
• High fever.
• Vomiting.
• Headache.
• Rapid breathing.
• Rapid heartbeat.

Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.