![Hyperthermia](https://www.english.nina.az/wikipedia/image/aHR0cHM6Ly91cGxvYWQud2lraW1lZGlhLm9yZy93aWtpcGVkaWEvY29tbW9ucy90aHVtYi81LzVkL0hlYXQtcmVsYXRlZF9kZWF0aHMuanBnLzE2MDBweC1IZWF0LXJlbGF0ZWRfZGVhdGhzLmpwZw==.jpg )
This article needs additional citations for verification.(October 2023) |
Hyperthermia, also known simply as overheating, is a condition in which an individual's body temperature is elevated beyond normal due to failed thermoregulation. The person's body produces or absorbs more heat than it dissipates. When extreme temperature elevation occurs, it becomes a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment to prevent disability or death.[citation needed] Almost half a million deaths are recorded every year from hyperthermia.[citation needed]
Hyperthermia | |
---|---|
Other names | Overheating |
An analog medical thermometer showing a temperature of 38.7 °C (101.7 °F) | |
Specialty | Critical care medicine |
Symptoms | Lack of perspiration, confusion, delirium, decreased blood pressure, increased heart rate and respiration rate, symptoms of dehydration |
Complications | Organ failure, unconsciousness |
Causes | Heat stroke |
Risk factors | Exposure to hot and/or humid environments, physical exertion, wearing personal protective equipment that covers the body, heatwaves |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms or body temperature above 37.7 °C (99.9 °F) |
Differential diagnosis | Fever |
Prevention | Maintaining a moderate temperature, regular hydration, taking regular breaks |
Treatment | Mild: Staying away from hot environments, rehydrating oneself, mechanical cooling, use of a dehumidifier Severe: intravenous hydration, gastric lavage with iced saline, hemodialysis, immersing in ice water |
The most common causes include heat stroke and adverse reactions to drugs. Heat stroke is an acute temperature elevation caused by exposure to excessive heat, or combination of heat and humidity, that overwhelms the heat-regulating mechanisms of the body. The latter is a relatively rare side effect of many drugs, particularly those that affect the central nervous system. Malignant hyperthermia is a rare complication of some types of general anesthesia. Hyperthermia can also be caused by a traumatic brain injury.
Hyperthermia differs from fever in that the body's temperature set point remains unchanged. The opposite is hypothermia, which occurs when the temperature drops below that required to maintain normal metabolism. The term is from Greek ὑπέρ, hyper, meaning "above", and θέρμος, thermos, meaning "heat".
Classification
In humans, hyperthermia is defined as a temperature greater than 37.5–38.3 °C (99.5–100.9 °F), depending on the reference used, that occurs without a change in the body's temperature set point.
The normal human body temperature can be as high as 37.7 °C (99.9 °F) in the late afternoon. Hyperthermia requires an elevation from the temperature that would otherwise be expected. Such elevations range from mild to extreme; body temperatures above 40 °C (104 °F) can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
An early stage of hyperthermia can be "heat exhaustion" (or "heat prostration" or "heat stress"), whose symptoms can include heavy sweating, rapid breathing and a fast, weak pulse. If the condition progresses to heat stroke, then hot, dry skin is typical as blood vessels dilate in an attempt to increase heat loss. An inability to cool the body through perspiration may cause dry skin. Hyperthermia from neurological disease may include little or no sweating, cardiovascular problems, and confusion or delirium.
Other signs and symptoms vary. Accompanying dehydration can produce nausea, vomiting, headaches, and low blood pressure and the latter can lead to fainting or dizziness, especially if the standing position is assumed quickly.
In severe heat stroke, confusion and aggressive behavior may be observed. Heart rate and respiration rate will increase (tachycardia and tachypnea) as blood pressure drops and the heart attempts to maintain adequate circulation. The decrease in blood pressure can then cause blood vessels to contract reflexively, resulting in a pale or bluish skin color in advanced cases. Young children, in particular, may have seizures. Eventually, organ failure, unconsciousness and death will result.
Causes
Heat stroke occurs when thermoregulation is overwhelmed by a combination of excessive metabolic production of heat (exertion), excessive environmental heat, and insufficient or impaired heat loss, resulting in an abnormally high body temperature. In severe cases, temperatures can exceed 40 °C (104 °F). Heat stroke may be non-exertional (classic) or exertional.
Exertional
Significant physical exertion in hot conditions can generate heat beyond the ability to cool, because, in addition to the heat, humidity of the environment may reduce the efficiency of the body's normal cooling mechanisms. Human heat-loss mechanisms are limited primarily to sweating (which dissipates heat by evaporation, assuming sufficiently low humidity) and vasodilation of skin vessels (which dissipates heat by convection proportional to the temperature difference between the body and its surroundings, according to Newton's law of cooling). Other factors, such as insufficient water intake, consuming alcohol, or lack of air conditioning, can worsen the problem.
The increase in body temperature that results from a breakdown in thermoregulation affects the body biochemically. Enzymes involved in metabolic pathways within the body such as cellular respiration fail to work effectively at higher temperatures, and further increases can lead them to denature, reducing their ability to catalyse essential chemical reactions. This loss of enzymatic control affects the functioning of major organs with high energy demands such as the heart and brain. Loss of fluid and electrolytes cause heat cramps – slow muscular contraction and severe muscular spasm lasting between one and three minutes. Almost all cases of heat cramps involve vigorous physical exertion. Body temperature may remain normal or a little higher than normal and cramps are concentrated in heavily used muscles.
Situational
![image](https://www.english.nina.az/wikipedia/image/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZW5nbGlzaC5uaW5hLmF6L3dpa2lwZWRpYS9pbWFnZS9hSFIwY0hNNkx5OTFjR3h2WVdRdWQybHJhVzFsWkdsaExtOXlaeTkzYVd0cGNHVmthV0V2WTI5dGJXOXVjeTkwYUhWdFlpODFMelZrTDBobFlYUXRjbVZzWVhSbFpGOWtaV0YwYUhNdWFuQm5Mek0xTUhCNExVaGxZWFF0Y21Wc1lYUmxaRjlrWldGMGFITXVhbkJuLmpwZw==.jpg)
Situational heat stroke occurs in the absence of exertion. It mostly affects the young and elderly. In the elderly in particular, it can be precipitated by medications that reduce vasodilation and sweating, such as anticholinergic drugs, antihistamines, and diuretics. In this situation, the body's tolerance for high environmental temperature may be insufficient, even at rest.
Heat waves are often followed by a rise in the death rate, and these 'classical hyperthermia' deaths typically involve the elderly and infirm. This is partly because thermoregulation involves cardiovascular, respiratory and renal systems which may be inadequate for the additional stress because of the existing burden of aging and disease, further compromised by medications. During the July 1995 heatwave in Chicago, there were at least 700 heat-related deaths. The strongest risk factors were being confined to bed, and living alone, while the risk was reduced for those with working air conditioners and those with access to transportation. Even then, reported deaths may be underestimated as diagnosis can be mis-classified as stroke or heart attack.
Drugs
Some drugs cause excessive internal heat production. The rate of drug-induced hyperthermia is higher where use of these drugs is higher.
- Many psychotropic medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and tricyclic antidepressants, can cause hyperthermia.Serotonin syndrome is a rare adverse reaction to overdose of these medications or the use of several simultaneously. Similarly, neuroleptic malignant syndrome is an uncommon reaction to neuroleptic agents. These syndromes are differentiated by other associated symptoms, such as tremor in serotonin syndrome and "lead-pipe" muscle rigidity in neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
- Recreational drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine,PCP, dextromethorphan, LSD, and MDMA may cause hyperthermia.
- Malignant hyperthermia is a rare reaction to common anesthetic agents (such as halothane) or the paralytic agent succinylcholine. Those who have this reaction, which is potentially fatal, have a genetic predisposition.
- The use of anticholinergics, more specifically muscarinic antagonists are thought to cause mild hyperthermic episodes due to its parasympatholytic effects. The sympathetic nervous system, also known as the "fight-or-flight response", dominates by raising catecholamine levels by the blocked action of the "rest and digest system".
- Drugs that decouple oxidative phosphorylation may also cause hyperthermia. From this group of drugs the most well-known is 2,4-dinitrophenol which was used as a weight loss drug until dangers from its use became apparent.
Personal protective equipment
Those working in industry, in the military, or as first responders may be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) against hazards such as chemical agents, gases, fire, small arms and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). PPE includes a range of hazmat suits, firefighting turnout gear, body armor and bomb suits, among others. Depending on design, the wearer may be encapsulated in a microclimate, due to an increase in thermal resistance and decrease in vapor permeability. As physical work is performed, the body's natural thermoregulation (i.e. sweating) becomes ineffective. This is compounded by increased work rates, high ambient temperature and humidity levels, and direct exposure to the sun. The net effect is that desired protection from some environmental threats inadvertently increases the threat of heat stress.
The effect of PPE on hyperthermia has been noted in fighting the 2014 Ebola virus epidemic in Western Africa. Doctors and healthcare workers were only able to work for 40 minutes at a time in their protective suits, fearing heat stroke.
Other
Other rare causes of hyperthermia include thyrotoxicosis and an adrenal gland tumor, called pheochromocytoma, both of which can cause increased heat production. Damage to the central nervous system from brain hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, status epilepticus, and other kinds of injury to the hypothalamus can also cause hyperthermia.
Pathophysiology
![image](https://www.english.nina.az/wikipedia/image/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZW5nbGlzaC5uaW5hLmF6L3dpa2lwZWRpYS9pbWFnZS9hSFIwY0hNNkx5OTFjR3h2WVdRdWQybHJhVzFsWkdsaExtOXlaeTkzYVd0cGNHVmthV0V2WTI5dGJXOXVjeTkwYUhWdFlpOW1MMlkzTDBabGRtVnlMV052Ym1ObGNIUjFZV3d1YzNabkx6TTFNSEI0TFVabGRtVnlMV052Ym1ObGNIUjFZV3d1YzNabkxuQnVadz09LnBuZw==.png)
Hyperthermia: Characterized on the left. Normal body temperature (thermoregulatory set-point) is shown in green, while the hyperthermic temperature is shown in red. As can be seen, hyperthermia can be considered an increase above the thermoregulatory set-point.
Hypothermia: Characterized in the center: Normal body temperature is shown in green, while hypothermic temperature is shown in blue. As can be seen, hypothermia can be conceptualized as a decrease below the thermoregulatory set-point.
Fever: Characterized on the right: Normal body temperature is shown in green. It reads "New Normal" because the thermoregulatory set-point has risen. This has caused what was the normal body temperature (in blue) to be considered hypothermic.
A fever occurs when the core temperature is set higher, through the action of the pre-optic region of the anterior hypothalamus. For example, in response to a bacterial or viral infection, certain white blood cells within the blood will release pyrogens which have a direct effect on the anterior hypothalamus, causing body temperature to rise, much like raising the temperature setting on a thermostat.
In contrast, hyperthermia occurs when the body temperature rises without a change in the heat control centers.
Some of the gastrointestinal symptoms of acute exertional heatstroke, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal bleeding, may be caused by barrier dysfunction and subsequent endotoxemia. Ultraendurance athletes have been found to have significantly increased plasma endotoxin levels. Endotoxin stimulates many inflammatory cytokines, which in turn may cause multiorgan dysfunction. Experimentally, monkeys treated with oral antibiotics prior to induction of heat stroke do not become endotoxemic.
There is scientific support for the concept of a temperature set point; that is, maintenance of an optimal temperature for the metabolic processes that life depends on. Nervous activity in the preoptic-anterior hypothalamus of the brain triggers heat losing (sweating, etc.) or heat generating (shivering and muscle contraction, etc.) activities through stimulation of the autonomic nervous system. The pre-optic anterior hypothalamus has been shown to contain warm sensitive, cool sensitive, and temperature insensitive neurons, to determine the body's temperature setpoint. As the temperature that these neurons are exposed to rises above 37 °C (99 °F), the rate of electrical discharge of the warm-sensitive neurons increases progressively. Cold-sensitive neurons increase their rate of electrical discharge progressively below 37 °C (99 °F).
Diagnosis
Hyperthermia is generally diagnosed by the combination of unexpectedly high body temperature and a history that supports hyperthermia instead of a fever. Most commonly this means that the elevated temperature has occurred in a hot, humid environment (heat stroke) or in someone taking a drug for which hyperthermia is a known side effect (drug-induced hyperthermia). The presence of signs and symptoms related to hyperthermia syndromes, such as extrapyramidal symptoms characteristic of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and the absence of signs and symptoms more commonly related to infection-related fevers, are also considered in making the diagnosis.
If fever-reducing drugs lower the body temperature, even if the temperature does not return entirely to normal, then hyperthermia is excluded.
Prevention
When ambient temperature is excessive, humans and many other animals cool themselves below ambient by evaporative cooling of sweat (or other aqueous liquid; saliva in dogs, for example); this helps prevent potentially fatal hyperthermia. The effectiveness of evaporative cooling depends upon humidity. Wet-bulb temperature, which takes humidity into account, or more complex calculated quantities such as wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT), which also takes solar radiation into account, give useful indications of the degree of heat stress and are used by several agencies as the basis for heat-stress prevention guidelines. (Wet-bulb temperature is essentially the lowest skin temperature attainable by evaporative cooling at a given ambient temperature and humidity.)
A sustained wet-bulb temperature exceeding 35 °C (95 °F) is likely to be fatal even to fit and healthy people unclothed in the shade next to a fan; at this temperature, environmental heat gain instead of loss occurs. As of 2012[update], wet-bulb temperatures only very rarely exceeded 30 °C (86 °F) anywhere, although significant global warming may change this.
In cases of heat stress caused by physical exertion, hot environments, or protective equipment, prevention or mitigation by frequent rest breaks, careful hydration, and monitoring body temperature should be attempted. However, in situations demanding one is exposed to a hot environment for a prolonged period or must wear protective equipment, a personal cooling system is required as a matter of health and safety. There are a variety of active or passive personal cooling systems; these can be categorized by their power sources and whether they are person- or vehicle-mounted.
Because of the broad variety of operating conditions, these devices must meet specific requirements concerning their rate and duration of cooling, their power source, and their adherence to health and safety regulations. Among other criteria are the user's need for physical mobility and autonomy. For example, active-liquid systems operate by chilling water and circulating it through a garment; the skin surface area is thereby cooled through conduction. This type of system has proven successful in certain military, law enforcement, and industrial applications. Bomb-disposal technicians wearing special suits to protect against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) use a small, ice-based chiller unit that is strapped to one leg; a liquid-circulating garment, usually a vest, is worn over the torso to maintain a safe core body temperature. By contrast, soldiers traveling in combat vehicles can face microclimate temperatures in excess of 65 °C (149 °F) and require a multiple-user, vehicle-powered cooling system with rapid connection capabilities. Requirements for hazmat teams, the medical community, and workers in heavy industry vary further.
Treatment
The underlying cause must be removed. Mild hyperthemia caused by exertion on a hot day may be adequately treated through self-care measures, such as increased water consumption and resting in a cool place. Hyperthermia that results from drug exposure requires prompt cessation of that drug, and occasionally the use of other drugs as counter measures.
Antipyretics (e.g., acetaminophen, aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) have no role in the treatment of heatstroke because antipyretics interrupt the change in the hypothalamic set point caused by pyrogens; they are not expected to work on a healthy hypothalamus that has been overloaded, as in the case of heatstroke. In this situation, antipyretics actually may be harmful in patients who develop hepatic, hematologic, and renal complications because they may aggravate bleeding tendencies.
When body temperature is significantly elevated, mechanical cooling methods are used to remove heat and to restore the body's ability to regulate its own temperatures. Passive cooling techniques, such as resting in a cool, shady area and removing clothing can be applied immediately. Active cooling methods, such as sponging the head, neck, and trunk with cool water, remove heat from the body and thereby speed the body's return to normal temperatures. When methods such as immersion are impractical, misting the body with water and using a fan have also been shown to be effective.
Sitting in a bathtub of tepid or cool water (immersion method) can remove a significant amount of heat in a relatively short period of time. It was once thought that immersion in very cold water is counterproductive, as it causes vasoconstriction in the skin and thereby prevents heat from escaping the body core. However, a British analysis of various studies stated: "this has never been proven experimentally. Indeed, a recent study using normal volunteers has shown that cooling rates were fastest when the coldest water was used." The analysis concluded that iced water immersion is the most-effective cooling technique for exertional heat stroke. No superior cooling method has been found for non-exertional heat stroke. Thus, aggressive ice-water immersion remains the gold standard for life-threatening heat stroke.
When the body temperature reaches about 40 °C (104 °F), or if the affected person is unconscious or showing signs of confusion, hyperthermia is considered a medical emergency that requires treatment in a proper medical facility. A cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be necessary if the person goes into cardiac arrest (stop of heart beats). Already in a hospital, more aggressive cooling measures are available, including intravenous hydration, gastric lavage with iced saline, and even hemodialysis to cool the blood.
Epidemiology
Hyperthermia affects those who are unable to regulate their body heat, mainly due to environmental conditions. The main risk factor for hyperthermia is the lack of ability to sweat. People who are dehydrated or who are older may not produce the sweat they need to regulate their body temperature. High heat conditions can put certain groups at risk for hyperthermia including: physically active individuals, soldiers, construction workers, landscapers and factory workers. Some people that do not have access to cooler living conditions, like people with lower socioeconomic status, may have a difficult time fighting the heat. People are at risk for hyperthermia during high heat and dry conditions, most commonly seen in the summer.
Various cases of different types of hyperthermia have been reported. A research study was published in March 2019 that looked into multiple case reports of drug induced hyperthermia. The study concluded that psychotropic drugs such as anti-psychotics, antidepressants, and anxiolytics were associated with an increased heat-related mortality as opposed to the other drugs researched (anticholinergics, diuretics, cardiovascular agents, etc.). A different study was published in June 2019 that examined the association between hyperthermia in older adults and the temperatures in the United States. Hospitalization records of elderly patients in the US between 1991 and 2006 were analyzed and concluded that cases of hyperthermia were observed to be highest in regions with arid climates. The study discussed finding a disproportionately high number of cases of hyperthermia in early seasonal heat waves indicating that people were not yet practicing proper techniques to stay cool and prevent overheating in the early presence of warm, dry weather.
In urban areas people are at an increased susceptibility to hyperthermia. This is due to a phenomenon called the urban heat island effect. Since the 20th century in the United States, the north-central region (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska) was the region with the highest morbidity resulting from hyperthermia. Northeastern states had the next highest. Regions least affected by heat wave-related hyperthermia causing death were Southern and Pacific Coastal states. Northern cities in the United States are at greater risk of hyperthermia during heat waves due to the fact that people tend to have a lower minimum mortality temperature at higher latitudes. In contrast, cities residing in lower latitudes within the continental US typically have higher thresholds for ambient temperatures. In India, hundreds die every year from summer heat waves, including more than 2,500 in the year 2015. Later that same summer, the 2015 Pakistani heat wave killed about 2,000 people. An extreme 2003 European heat wave caused tens of thousands of deaths.
Causes of hyperthermia include dehydration, use of certain medications, using cocaine and amphetamines or excessive alcohol use. Bodily temperatures greater than 37.5–38.3 °C (99.5–100.9 °F) can be diagnosed as a hyperthermic case. As body temperatures increase or excessive body temperatures persist, individuals are at a heightened risk of developing progressive conditions. Greater risk complications of hyperthermia include heat stroke, organ malfunction, organ failure, and death. There are two forms of heat stroke; classical heatstroke and exertional heatstroke. Classical heatstroke occurs from extreme environmental conditions, such as heat waves. Those who are most commonly affected by classical heatstroke are very young, elderly or chronically ill. Exertional heatstroke appears in individuals after vigorous physical activity. Exertional heatstroke is displayed most commonly in healthy 15-50 year old people. Sweating is often present in exertional heatstroke. The associated mortality rate of heatstroke is 40 to 64%.
Research
Hyperthermia can also be deliberately induced using drugs or medical devices, and is being studied and applied in clinical routine as a treatment of some kinds of cancer. Research has shown that medically controlled hyperthermia can shrink tumours. This occurs when a high body temperature damages cancerous cells by destroying proteins and structures within each cell. Hyperthermia has also been researched to investigate whether it causes cancerous tumours to be more prone to radiation as a form of treatment; which as a result has allowed hyperthermia to be used to complement other forms of cancer therapy. Various techniques of hyperthermia in the treatment of cancer include local or regional hyperthermia, as well as whole body techniques.
See also
- Effects of climate change on human health
- Hot flash – Physiological symptom of menopause
- Occupational heat stress – Net heat load of a worker
- Rhabdomyolysis – Human disease (condition) in which damaged skeletal muscle breaks down rapidly
- Space blanket
References
- Bouchama, Abderrezak; Knochel, James P. (20 June 2002). "Heat Stroke". New England Journal of Medicine. 346 (25): 1978–1988. doi:10.1056/nejmra011089. ISSN 0028-4793. PMID 12075060.
- Fauci, Anthony; et al. (2008). Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine (17th ed.). McGraw-Hill Professional. pp. 117–121. ISBN 978-0-07-146633-2.
- Axelrod YK, Diringer MN (May 2008). "Temperature management in acute neurologic disorders". Neurologic Clinics. 26 (2): 585–603, xi. doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2008.02.005. PMID 18514828.
- Thompson, Hilaire J.; Tkacs, Nancy C.; Saatman, Kathryn E.; Raghupathi, Ramesh; McIntosh, Tracy K. (April 2003). "Hyperthermia following traumatic brain injury: a critical evaluation". Neurobiology of Disease. 12 (3): 163–173. doi:10.1016/s0969-9961(02)00030-x. ISSN 0969-9961. PMID 12742737. S2CID 23680754.
- Truettner, Jessie S.; Bramlett, Helen M.; Dietrich, W. Dalton (1 April 2018). "Hyperthermia and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Effects on Inflammation and the Cerebral Vasculature". Journal of Neurotrauma. 35 (7): 940–952. doi:10.1089/neu.2017.5303. ISSN 0897-7151. PMC 5865622. PMID 29108477.
- Thompson, H. J.; Pinto-Martin, J.; Bullock, M. R. (1 May 2003). "Neurogenic fever after traumatic brain injury: an epidemiological study". Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 74 (5): 614–619. doi:10.1136/jnnp.74.5.614. ISSN 0022-3050. PMC 1738450. PMID 12700304.
- Marx J (2006). Rosen's emergency medicine : concepts and clinical practice (6th ed.). Philadelphia: Mosby/Elsevier. p. 2239. ISBN 978-0-323-02845-5. OCLC 58533794.
- Hutchison JS, Ward RE, Lacroix J, Hébert PC, Barnes MA, Bohn DJ, et al. (June 2008). "Hypothermia therapy after traumatic brain injury in children". The New England Journal of Medicine. 358 (23): 2447–56. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0706930. PMID 18525042.
- Pryor JA, Prasad AS (2008). Physiotherapy for Respiratory and Cardiac Problems: Adults and Paediatrics. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 8. ISBN 978-0702039744.
Body temperature is maintained within the range 36.5-37.5 °C. It is lowest in the early morning and highest in the afternoon.
- Laupland KB (July 2009). "Fever in the critically ill medical patient". Critical Care Medicine. 37 (7 Suppl): S273-8. doi:10.1097/CCM.0b013e3181aa6117. PMID 19535958.
- Grunau BE, Wiens MO, Brubacher JR (September 2010). "Dantrolene in the treatment of MDMA-related hyperpyrexia: a systematic review". Cjem. 12 (5): 435–42. doi:10.1017/s1481803500012598. PMID 20880437.
Dantrolene may also be associated with improved survival and reduced complications, especially in patients with extreme (≥ 42 °C) or severe (≥ 40 °C) hyperpyrexia
- Sharma HS, ed. (2007). Neurobiology of Hyperthermia (1st ed.). Elsevier. pp. 175–177, 485. ISBN 9780080549996. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
Despite the myriad of complications associated with heat illness, an elevation of core temperature above 41.0 °C (often referred to as fever or hyperpyrexia) is the most widely recognized symptom of this syndrome.
- Tintinalli, Judith (2004). Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide, Sixth edition. McGraw-Hill Professional. p. 1187. ISBN 0-07-138875-3.
- "Medically Sound: Crossing Thermometric Barriers (Searing Heat and Freezing Cold)". Medically Sound. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
- Semenza JC, Rubin CH, Falter KH, Selanikio JD, Flanders WD, Howe HL, Wilhelm JL (July 1996). "Heat-related deaths during the July 1995 heat wave in Chicago". New England Journal of Medicine. 335 (2): 84–90. doi:10.1056/NEJM199607113350203. PMID 8649494.
- Tintinalli, Judith (2004). Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide, Sixth edition. McGraw-Hill Professional. p. 1818. ISBN 0-07-138875-3.
- Marx, John (2006). Rosen's emergency medicine: concepts and clinical practice. Mosby/Elsevier. p. 2894. ISBN 978-0-323-02845-5.
- Marx, John (2006). Rosen's emergency medicine: concepts and clinical practice. Mosby/Elsevier. p. 2388. ISBN 978-0-323-02845-5.
- Patel, R.J.; et al. (January 2004). "Prevalence of autonomic signs and symptoms in antimuscarinic drug poisonings". J. Emerg. Med. Vol. 26, no. 1. pp. 89–94. PMID 14751484.
- "Microclimate Conditioning Systems" (PDF). US Army Natick Soldier RD&E Center. May 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- Northam, Jackie (7 October 2014). "Ebola Protective Suits Are In Short Supply". National Public Radio. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- Lambert, Patrick. "Role of gastrointestinal permeability in exertional heatstroke". Exercise and Sport Science Reviews. 32(4): 185-190. 2004
- Byrne, J.H. "Neuroscience Online: An Electronic Textbook for the Neurosciences". Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston (UTHealth). Retrieved 13 January 2013.
- Muir, Hazel (23 October 2010). "Thermogeddon: Too hot for humans". New Scientist. 208 (2783): 36–39. Bibcode:2010NewSc.208...36M. doi:10.1016/S0262-4079(10)62649-8.
- Madge, Grahame (9 November 2021). "One billion face heat-stress risk from 2°C rise". Met Office. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
- "NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topics: Heat Stress". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
- Heatstroke~treatment at eMedicine
- Wasserman, Deena D.; Creech, Julie A.; Healy, Megan (2023), "Cooling Techniques for Hyperthermia", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID 29083764, retrieved 2 September 2023
- Smith, J E (2005). "Cooling methods used in the treatment of exertional heat illness". British Journal of Sports Medicine. 39 (8): 503–7, discussion 507. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2004.013466. PMC 1725271. PMID 16046331.
- Bouchama, Abderrezak; Dehbi, Mohammed; Chaves-Carballo, Enrique (2007). "Cooling and hemodynamic management in heatstroke: practical recommendations". Critical Care. 11 (3): R54. doi:10.1186/cc5910. PMC 2206402. PMID 17498312.
- Casa DJ, McDermott BP, Lee EC, Yeargin SW, Armstrong LE, Maresh CM (July 2007). "Cold water immersion: the gold standard for exertional heatstroke treatment". Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 35 (3): 141–149. doi:10.1097/jes.0b013e3180a02bec. PMID 17620933. S2CID 29436184.
- McDermott, Brendon P.; Casa, Douglas J.; Ganio, Matthew S.; Lopez, Rebecca M.; Yeargin, Susan W.; Armstrong, Lawrence E.; Maresh, Carl M. (2009). "Acute Whole-Body Cooling for Exercise-Induced Hyperthermia: A Systematic Review". Journal of Athletic Training. 44 (1): 84–93. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-44.1.84. PMC 2629045. PMID 19180223.
- Cramer, Matthew N.; Jay, Ollie (1 April 2016). "Biophysical aspects of human thermoregulation during heat stress". Autonomic Neuroscience. SI:Thermoregulation. 196: 3–13. doi:10.1016/j.autneu.2016.03.001. ISSN 1566-0702. PMID 26971392. S2CID 3779953.
- Bongers, Koen Sebastiaan; Salahudeen, Mohammed S.; Peterson, Gregory M. (23 October 2019). "Drug-associated non-pyrogenic hyperthermia: a narrative review". European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 76 (1): 9–16. doi:10.1007/s00228-019-02763-5. ISSN 0031-6970. PMID 31642960. S2CID 204835523.
- Liss, Alexander; Naumova, Elena N. (2019). "Heatwaves and hospitalizations due to hyperthermia in defined climate regions in the conterminous USA". Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 191 (S2): 394. Bibcode:2019EMnAs.191S.394L. doi:10.1007/s10661-019-7412-5. ISSN 0167-6369. PMID 31254102. S2CID 195761385.
- Basu, Rupa; Samet, Jonathan M. (1 December 2002). "Relation between Elevated Ambient Temperature and Mortality: A Review of the Epidemiologic Evidence". Epidemiologic Reviews. 24 (2): 190–202. doi:10.1093/epirev/mxf007. ISSN 0193-936X. PMID 12762092.
- Gover, Mary (1938). "Mortality during Periods of Excessive Temperature". Public Health Reports. 53 (27): 1122–1143. doi:10.2307/4582590. ISSN 0094-6214. JSTOR 4582590.
- Curriero, Frank C.; Heiner, Karlyn S.; Samet, Jonathan M.; Zeger, Scott L.; Strug, Lisa; Patz, Jonathan A. (1 January 2002). "Temperature and Mortality in 11 Cities of the Eastern United States". American Journal of Epidemiology. 155 (1): 80–87. doi:10.1093/aje/155.1.80. ISSN 0002-9262. PMID 11772788.
The authors also found a strong association of the temperature-mortality relation with latitude, with a greater effect of colder temperatures on mortality risk in more-southern cities and of warmer temperatures in more-northern cities.
- Mallapur, Chaitanya (27 May 2015). "61% Rise In Heat-Stroke Deaths Over Decade". IndiaSpend. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- "India heatwave: death toll passes 2,500 as victim families fight for compensation". Reuters. 2 June 2015. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- Haider, Kamran; Anis, Khurrum (24 June 2015). "Heat Wave Death Toll Rises to 2,000 in Pakistan's Financial Hub". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
- Robine, Jean-Marie; et al. (February 2008). "Death toll exceeded 70,000 in Europe during the summer of 2003". Comptes Rendus Biologies. 331 (2): 171–178. doi:10.1016/j.crvi.2007.12.001. ISSN 1631-0691. PMID 18241810.
- Walter, Edward James; Carraretto, Mike (2016). "The neurological and cognitive consequences of hyperthermia". Critical Care. 20 (1): 199. doi:10.1186/s13054-016-1376-4. ISSN 1364-8535. PMC 4944502. PMID 27411704.
- Leon, Lisa R.; Bouchama, Abderrezak (2015), "Heat Stroke", Comprehensive Physiology, 5 (2), American Cancer Society: 611–647, doi:10.1002/cphy.c140017, ISBN 978-0-470-65071-4, PMID 25880507
- "Hyperthermia in Cancer Treatment". National Cancer Institute. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- Jha, Sheetal; Sharma, Pramod Kumar; Malviya, Rishabha (1 December 2016). "Hyperthermia: Role and Risk Factor for Cancer Treatment". Achievements in the Life Sciences. 10 (2): 161–167. doi:10.1016/j.als.2016.11.004. ISSN 2078-1520.
- Wust, P; Hildebrandt, B; Sreenivasa, G; Rau, B; Gellermann, J; Riess, H; Felix, R; Schlag, PM (1 August 2002). "Hyperthermia in combined treatment of cancer". The Lancet Oncology. 3 (8): 487–497. doi:10.1016/s1470-2045(02)00818-5. ISSN 1470-2045. PMID 12147435.
- van der Zee, Jacoba; González, Dionisio; van Rhoon, Gerard C; van Dijk, Jan DP; van Putten, Wim LJ; Hart, Augustinus AM (1 April 2000). "Comparison of radiotherapy alone with radiotherapy plus hyperthermia in locally advanced pelvic tumours: a prospective, randomised, multicentre trial". The Lancet. 355 (9210): 1119–1125. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(00)02059-6. ISSN 0140-6736. PMID 10791373. S2CID 25518938.
- Alexander, H. R. (1 January 2001). "Isolation perfusion". Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 1: 2.
External links
- Tips to Beat the Heat Archived 21 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine—American Red Cross
- Extreme Heat—CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Workplace Safety and Health Topics: Heat Stress—CDC and NIOSH
- Excessive Heat Events Guidebook—US EPA
- Physiological Responses to Exercise in the Heat—US National Academies
This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Hyperthermia news newspapers books scholar JSTOR October 2023 Learn how and when to remove this message Hyperthermia also known simply as overheating is a condition in which an individual s body temperature is elevated beyond normal due to failed thermoregulation The person s body produces or absorbs more heat than it dissipates When extreme temperature elevation occurs it becomes a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment to prevent disability or death citation needed Almost half a million deaths are recorded every year from hyperthermia citation needed HyperthermiaOther namesOverheatingAn analog medical thermometer showing a temperature of 38 7 C 101 7 F SpecialtyCritical care medicineSymptomsLack of perspiration confusion delirium decreased blood pressure increased heart rate and respiration rate symptoms of dehydrationComplicationsOrgan failure unconsciousnessCausesHeat strokeRisk factorsExposure to hot and or humid environments physical exertion wearing personal protective equipment that covers the body heatwavesDiagnostic methodBased on symptoms or body temperature above 37 7 C 99 9 F Differential diagnosisFeverPreventionMaintaining a moderate temperature regular hydration taking regular breaksTreatmentMild Staying away from hot environments rehydrating oneself mechanical cooling use of a dehumidifier Severe intravenous hydration gastric lavage with iced saline hemodialysis immersing in ice water The most common causes include heat stroke and adverse reactions to drugs Heat stroke is an acute temperature elevation caused by exposure to excessive heat or combination of heat and humidity that overwhelms the heat regulating mechanisms of the body The latter is a relatively rare side effect of many drugs particularly those that affect the central nervous system Malignant hyperthermia is a rare complication of some types of general anesthesia Hyperthermia can also be caused by a traumatic brain injury Hyperthermia differs from fever in that the body s temperature set point remains unchanged The opposite is hypothermia which occurs when the temperature drops below that required to maintain normal metabolism The term is from Greek ὑper hyper meaning above and 8ermos thermos meaning heat ClassificationIn humans hyperthermia is defined as a temperature greater than 37 5 38 3 C 99 5 100 9 F depending on the reference used that occurs without a change in the body s temperature set point The normal human body temperature can be as high as 37 7 C 99 9 F in the late afternoon Hyperthermia requires an elevation from the temperature that would otherwise be expected Such elevations range from mild to extreme body temperatures above 40 C 104 F can be life threatening Signs and symptomsAn early stage of hyperthermia can be heat exhaustion or heat prostration or heat stress whose symptoms can include heavy sweating rapid breathing and a fast weak pulse If the condition progresses to heat stroke then hot dry skin is typical as blood vessels dilate in an attempt to increase heat loss An inability to cool the body through perspiration may cause dry skin Hyperthermia from neurological disease may include little or no sweating cardiovascular problems and confusion or delirium Other signs and symptoms vary Accompanying dehydration can produce nausea vomiting headaches and low blood pressure and the latter can lead to fainting or dizziness especially if the standing position is assumed quickly In severe heat stroke confusion and aggressive behavior may be observed Heart rate and respiration rate will increase tachycardia and tachypnea as blood pressure drops and the heart attempts to maintain adequate circulation The decrease in blood pressure can then cause blood vessels to contract reflexively resulting in a pale or bluish skin color in advanced cases Young children in particular may have seizures Eventually organ failure unconsciousness and death will result CausesHeat stroke occurs when thermoregulation is overwhelmed by a combination of excessive metabolic production of heat exertion excessive environmental heat and insufficient or impaired heat loss resulting in an abnormally high body temperature In severe cases temperatures can exceed 40 C 104 F Heat stroke may be non exertional classic or exertional Exertional Significant physical exertion in hot conditions can generate heat beyond the ability to cool because in addition to the heat humidity of the environment may reduce the efficiency of the body s normal cooling mechanisms Human heat loss mechanisms are limited primarily to sweating which dissipates heat by evaporation assuming sufficiently low humidity and vasodilation of skin vessels which dissipates heat by convection proportional to the temperature difference between the body and its surroundings according to Newton s law of cooling Other factors such as insufficient water intake consuming alcohol or lack of air conditioning can worsen the problem The increase in body temperature that results from a breakdown in thermoregulation affects the body biochemically Enzymes involved in metabolic pathways within the body such as cellular respiration fail to work effectively at higher temperatures and further increases can lead them to denature reducing their ability to catalyse essential chemical reactions This loss of enzymatic control affects the functioning of major organs with high energy demands such as the heart and brain Loss of fluid and electrolytes cause heat cramps slow muscular contraction and severe muscular spasm lasting between one and three minutes Almost all cases of heat cramps involve vigorous physical exertion Body temperature may remain normal or a little higher than normal and cramps are concentrated in heavily used muscles Situational Situational heat stroke occurs in the absence of exertion It mostly affects the young and elderly In the elderly in particular it can be precipitated by medications that reduce vasodilation and sweating such as anticholinergic drugs antihistamines and diuretics In this situation the body s tolerance for high environmental temperature may be insufficient even at rest Heat waves are often followed by a rise in the death rate and these classical hyperthermia deaths typically involve the elderly and infirm This is partly because thermoregulation involves cardiovascular respiratory and renal systems which may be inadequate for the additional stress because of the existing burden of aging and disease further compromised by medications During the July 1995 heatwave in Chicago there were at least 700 heat related deaths The strongest risk factors were being confined to bed and living alone while the risk was reduced for those with working air conditioners and those with access to transportation Even then reported deaths may be underestimated as diagnosis can be mis classified as stroke or heart attack Drugs Some drugs cause excessive internal heat production The rate of drug induced hyperthermia is higher where use of these drugs is higher Many psychotropic medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs and tricyclic antidepressants can cause hyperthermia Serotonin syndrome is a rare adverse reaction to overdose of these medications or the use of several simultaneously Similarly neuroleptic malignant syndrome is an uncommon reaction to neuroleptic agents These syndromes are differentiated by other associated symptoms such as tremor in serotonin syndrome and lead pipe muscle rigidity in neuroleptic malignant syndrome Recreational drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine PCP dextromethorphan LSD and MDMA may cause hyperthermia Malignant hyperthermia is a rare reaction to common anesthetic agents such as halothane or the paralytic agent succinylcholine Those who have this reaction which is potentially fatal have a genetic predisposition The use of anticholinergics more specifically muscarinic antagonists are thought to cause mild hyperthermic episodes due to its parasympatholytic effects The sympathetic nervous system also known as the fight or flight response dominates by raising catecholamine levels by the blocked action of the rest and digest system Drugs that decouple oxidative phosphorylation may also cause hyperthermia From this group of drugs the most well known is 2 4 dinitrophenol which was used as a weight loss drug until dangers from its use became apparent Personal protective equipment Those working in industry in the military or as first responders may be required to wear personal protective equipment PPE against hazards such as chemical agents gases fire small arms and improvised explosive devices IEDs PPE includes a range of hazmat suits firefighting turnout gear body armor and bomb suits among others Depending on design the wearer may be encapsulated in a microclimate due to an increase in thermal resistance and decrease in vapor permeability As physical work is performed the body s natural thermoregulation i e sweating becomes ineffective This is compounded by increased work rates high ambient temperature and humidity levels and direct exposure to the sun The net effect is that desired protection from some environmental threats inadvertently increases the threat of heat stress The effect of PPE on hyperthermia has been noted in fighting the 2014 Ebola virus epidemic in Western Africa Doctors and healthcare workers were only able to work for 40 minutes at a time in their protective suits fearing heat stroke Other Other rare causes of hyperthermia include thyrotoxicosis and an adrenal gland tumor called pheochromocytoma both of which can cause increased heat production Damage to the central nervous system from brain hemorrhage traumatic brain injury status epilepticus and other kinds of injury to the hypothalamus can also cause hyperthermia PathophysiologyA summary of the differences between hyperthermia hypothermia and fever Hyperthermia Characterized on the left Normal body temperature thermoregulatory set point is shown in green while the hyperthermic temperature is shown in red As can be seen hyperthermia can be considered an increase above the thermoregulatory set point Hypothermia Characterized in the center Normal body temperature is shown in green while hypothermic temperature is shown in blue As can be seen hypothermia can be conceptualized as a decrease below the thermoregulatory set point Fever Characterized on the right Normal body temperature is shown in green It reads New Normal because the thermoregulatory set point has risen This has caused what was the normal body temperature in blue to be considered hypothermic A fever occurs when the core temperature is set higher through the action of the pre optic region of the anterior hypothalamus For example in response to a bacterial or viral infection certain white blood cells within the blood will release pyrogens which have a direct effect on the anterior hypothalamus causing body temperature to rise much like raising the temperature setting on a thermostat In contrast hyperthermia occurs when the body temperature rises without a change in the heat control centers Some of the gastrointestinal symptoms of acute exertional heatstroke such as vomiting diarrhea and gastrointestinal bleeding may be caused by barrier dysfunction and subsequent endotoxemia Ultraendurance athletes have been found to have significantly increased plasma endotoxin levels Endotoxin stimulates many inflammatory cytokines which in turn may cause multiorgan dysfunction Experimentally monkeys treated with oral antibiotics prior to induction of heat stroke do not become endotoxemic There is scientific support for the concept of a temperature set point that is maintenance of an optimal temperature for the metabolic processes that life depends on Nervous activity in the preoptic anterior hypothalamus of the brain triggers heat losing sweating etc or heat generating shivering and muscle contraction etc activities through stimulation of the autonomic nervous system The pre optic anterior hypothalamus has been shown to contain warm sensitive cool sensitive and temperature insensitive neurons to determine the body s temperature setpoint As the temperature that these neurons are exposed to rises above 37 C 99 F the rate of electrical discharge of the warm sensitive neurons increases progressively Cold sensitive neurons increase their rate of electrical discharge progressively below 37 C 99 F DiagnosisHyperthermia is generally diagnosed by the combination of unexpectedly high body temperature and a history that supports hyperthermia instead of a fever Most commonly this means that the elevated temperature has occurred in a hot humid environment heat stroke or in someone taking a drug for which hyperthermia is a known side effect drug induced hyperthermia The presence of signs and symptoms related to hyperthermia syndromes such as extrapyramidal symptoms characteristic of neuroleptic malignant syndrome and the absence of signs and symptoms more commonly related to infection related fevers are also considered in making the diagnosis If fever reducing drugs lower the body temperature even if the temperature does not return entirely to normal then hyperthermia is excluded PreventionWhen ambient temperature is excessive humans and many other animals cool themselves below ambient by evaporative cooling of sweat or other aqueous liquid saliva in dogs for example this helps prevent potentially fatal hyperthermia The effectiveness of evaporative cooling depends upon humidity Wet bulb temperature which takes humidity into account or more complex calculated quantities such as wet bulb globe temperature WBGT which also takes solar radiation into account give useful indications of the degree of heat stress and are used by several agencies as the basis for heat stress prevention guidelines Wet bulb temperature is essentially the lowest skin temperature attainable by evaporative cooling at a given ambient temperature and humidity A sustained wet bulb temperature exceeding 35 C 95 F is likely to be fatal even to fit and healthy people unclothed in the shade next to a fan at this temperature environmental heat gain instead of loss occurs As of 2012 update wet bulb temperatures only very rarely exceeded 30 C 86 F anywhere although significant global warming may change this In cases of heat stress caused by physical exertion hot environments or protective equipment prevention or mitigation by frequent rest breaks careful hydration and monitoring body temperature should be attempted However in situations demanding one is exposed to a hot environment for a prolonged period or must wear protective equipment a personal cooling system is required as a matter of health and safety There are a variety of active or passive personal cooling systems these can be categorized by their power sources and whether they are person or vehicle mounted Because of the broad variety of operating conditions these devices must meet specific requirements concerning their rate and duration of cooling their power source and their adherence to health and safety regulations Among other criteria are the user s need for physical mobility and autonomy For example active liquid systems operate by chilling water and circulating it through a garment the skin surface area is thereby cooled through conduction This type of system has proven successful in certain military law enforcement and industrial applications Bomb disposal technicians wearing special suits to protect against improvised explosive devices IEDs use a small ice based chiller unit that is strapped to one leg a liquid circulating garment usually a vest is worn over the torso to maintain a safe core body temperature By contrast soldiers traveling in combat vehicles can face microclimate temperatures in excess of 65 C 149 F and require a multiple user vehicle powered cooling system with rapid connection capabilities Requirements for hazmat teams the medical community and workers in heavy industry vary further TreatmentThe underlying cause must be removed Mild hyperthemia caused by exertion on a hot day may be adequately treated through self care measures such as increased water consumption and resting in a cool place Hyperthermia that results from drug exposure requires prompt cessation of that drug and occasionally the use of other drugs as counter measures Antipyretics e g acetaminophen aspirin other nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs have no role in the treatment of heatstroke because antipyretics interrupt the change in the hypothalamic set point caused by pyrogens they are not expected to work on a healthy hypothalamus that has been overloaded as in the case of heatstroke In this situation antipyretics actually may be harmful in patients who develop hepatic hematologic and renal complications because they may aggravate bleeding tendencies When body temperature is significantly elevated mechanical cooling methods are used to remove heat and to restore the body s ability to regulate its own temperatures Passive cooling techniques such as resting in a cool shady area and removing clothing can be applied immediately Active cooling methods such as sponging the head neck and trunk with cool water remove heat from the body and thereby speed the body s return to normal temperatures When methods such as immersion are impractical misting the body with water and using a fan have also been shown to be effective Sitting in a bathtub of tepid or cool water immersion method can remove a significant amount of heat in a relatively short period of time It was once thought that immersion in very cold water is counterproductive as it causes vasoconstriction in the skin and thereby prevents heat from escaping the body core However a British analysis of various studies stated this has never been proven experimentally Indeed a recent study using normal volunteers has shown that cooling rates were fastest when the coldest water was used The analysis concluded that iced water immersion is the most effective cooling technique for exertional heat stroke No superior cooling method has been found for non exertional heat stroke Thus aggressive ice water immersion remains the gold standard for life threatening heat stroke When the body temperature reaches about 40 C 104 F or if the affected person is unconscious or showing signs of confusion hyperthermia is considered a medical emergency that requires treatment in a proper medical facility A cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR may be necessary if the person goes into cardiac arrest stop of heart beats Already in a hospital more aggressive cooling measures are available including intravenous hydration gastric lavage with iced saline and even hemodialysis to cool the blood EpidemiologyHyperthermia affects those who are unable to regulate their body heat mainly due to environmental conditions The main risk factor for hyperthermia is the lack of ability to sweat People who are dehydrated or who are older may not produce the sweat they need to regulate their body temperature High heat conditions can put certain groups at risk for hyperthermia including physically active individuals soldiers construction workers landscapers and factory workers Some people that do not have access to cooler living conditions like people with lower socioeconomic status may have a difficult time fighting the heat People are at risk for hyperthermia during high heat and dry conditions most commonly seen in the summer Various cases of different types of hyperthermia have been reported A research study was published in March 2019 that looked into multiple case reports of drug induced hyperthermia The study concluded that psychotropic drugs such as anti psychotics antidepressants and anxiolytics were associated with an increased heat related mortality as opposed to the other drugs researched anticholinergics diuretics cardiovascular agents etc A different study was published in June 2019 that examined the association between hyperthermia in older adults and the temperatures in the United States Hospitalization records of elderly patients in the US between 1991 and 2006 were analyzed and concluded that cases of hyperthermia were observed to be highest in regions with arid climates The study discussed finding a disproportionately high number of cases of hyperthermia in early seasonal heat waves indicating that people were not yet practicing proper techniques to stay cool and prevent overheating in the early presence of warm dry weather In urban areas people are at an increased susceptibility to hyperthermia This is due to a phenomenon called the urban heat island effect Since the 20th century in the United States the north central region Ohio Indiana Illinois Missouri Iowa and Nebraska was the region with the highest morbidity resulting from hyperthermia Northeastern states had the next highest Regions least affected by heat wave related hyperthermia causing death were Southern and Pacific Coastal states Northern cities in the United States are at greater risk of hyperthermia during heat waves due to the fact that people tend to have a lower minimum mortality temperature at higher latitudes In contrast cities residing in lower latitudes within the continental US typically have higher thresholds for ambient temperatures In India hundreds die every year from summer heat waves including more than 2 500 in the year 2015 Later that same summer the 2015 Pakistani heat wave killed about 2 000 people An extreme 2003 European heat wave caused tens of thousands of deaths Causes of hyperthermia include dehydration use of certain medications using cocaine and amphetamines or excessive alcohol use Bodily temperatures greater than 37 5 38 3 C 99 5 100 9 F can be diagnosed as a hyperthermic case As body temperatures increase or excessive body temperatures persist individuals are at a heightened risk of developing progressive conditions Greater risk complications of hyperthermia include heat stroke organ malfunction organ failure and death There are two forms of heat stroke classical heatstroke and exertional heatstroke Classical heatstroke occurs from extreme environmental conditions such as heat waves Those who are most commonly affected by classical heatstroke are very young elderly or chronically ill Exertional heatstroke appears in individuals after vigorous physical activity Exertional heatstroke is displayed most commonly in healthy 15 50 year old people Sweating is often present in exertional heatstroke The associated mortality rate of heatstroke is 40 to 64 ResearchHyperthermia can also be deliberately induced using drugs or medical devices and is being studied and applied in clinical routine as a treatment of some kinds of cancer Research has shown that medically controlled hyperthermia can shrink tumours This occurs when a high body temperature damages cancerous cells by destroying proteins and structures within each cell Hyperthermia has also been researched to investigate whether it causes cancerous tumours to be more prone to radiation as a form of treatment which as a result has allowed hyperthermia to be used to complement other forms of cancer therapy Various techniques of hyperthermia in the treatment of cancer include local or regional hyperthermia as well as whole body techniques See alsoEffects of climate change on human health Hot flash Physiological symptom of menopause Occupational heat stress Net heat load of a worker Rhabdomyolysis Human disease condition in which damaged skeletal muscle breaks down rapidly Space blanketReferencesBouchama Abderrezak Knochel James P 20 June 2002 Heat Stroke New England Journal of Medicine 346 25 1978 1988 doi 10 1056 nejmra011089 ISSN 0028 4793 PMID 12075060 Fauci Anthony et al 2008 Harrison s Principles of Internal Medicine 17th ed McGraw Hill Professional pp 117 121 ISBN 978 0 07 146633 2 Axelrod YK Diringer MN May 2008 Temperature management in acute neurologic disorders Neurologic Clinics 26 2 585 603 xi doi 10 1016 j ncl 2008 02 005 PMID 18514828 Thompson Hilaire J Tkacs Nancy C Saatman Kathryn E Raghupathi Ramesh McIntosh Tracy K April 2003 Hyperthermia following traumatic brain injury a critical evaluation Neurobiology of Disease 12 3 163 173 doi 10 1016 s0969 9961 02 00030 x ISSN 0969 9961 PMID 12742737 S2CID 23680754 Truettner Jessie S Bramlett Helen M Dietrich W Dalton 1 April 2018 Hyperthermia and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Effects on Inflammation and the Cerebral Vasculature Journal of Neurotrauma 35 7 940 952 doi 10 1089 neu 2017 5303 ISSN 0897 7151 PMC 5865622 PMID 29108477 Thompson H J Pinto Martin J Bullock M R 1 May 2003 Neurogenic fever after traumatic brain injury an epidemiological study Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery amp Psychiatry 74 5 614 619 doi 10 1136 jnnp 74 5 614 ISSN 0022 3050 PMC 1738450 PMID 12700304 Marx J 2006 Rosen s emergency medicine concepts and clinical practice 6th ed Philadelphia Mosby Elsevier p 2239 ISBN 978 0 323 02845 5 OCLC 58533794 Hutchison JS Ward RE Lacroix J Hebert PC Barnes MA Bohn DJ et al June 2008 Hypothermia therapy after traumatic brain injury in children The New England Journal of Medicine 358 23 2447 56 doi 10 1056 NEJMoa0706930 PMID 18525042 Pryor JA Prasad AS 2008 Physiotherapy for Respiratory and Cardiac Problems Adults and Paediatrics Elsevier Health Sciences p 8 ISBN 978 0702039744 Body temperature is maintained within the range 36 5 37 5 C It is lowest in the early morning and highest in the afternoon Laupland KB July 2009 Fever in the critically ill medical patient Critical Care Medicine 37 7 Suppl S273 8 doi 10 1097 CCM 0b013e3181aa6117 PMID 19535958 Grunau BE Wiens MO Brubacher JR September 2010 Dantrolene in the treatment of MDMA related hyperpyrexia a systematic review Cjem 12 5 435 42 doi 10 1017 s1481803500012598 PMID 20880437 Dantrolene may also be associated with improved survival and reduced complications especially in patients with extreme 42 C or severe 40 C hyperpyrexia Sharma HS ed 2007 Neurobiology of Hyperthermia 1st ed Elsevier pp 175 177 485 ISBN 9780080549996 Retrieved 19 November 2016 Despite the myriad of complications associated with heat illness an elevation of core temperature above 41 0 C often referred to as fever or hyperpyrexia is the most widely recognized symptom of this syndrome Tintinalli Judith 2004 Emergency Medicine A Comprehensive Study Guide Sixth edition McGraw Hill Professional p 1187 ISBN 0 07 138875 3 Medically Sound Crossing Thermometric Barriers Searing Heat and Freezing Cold Medically Sound 22 September 2020 Retrieved 7 November 2020 Semenza JC Rubin CH Falter KH Selanikio JD Flanders WD Howe HL Wilhelm JL July 1996 Heat related deaths during the July 1995 heat wave in Chicago New England Journal of Medicine 335 2 84 90 doi 10 1056 NEJM199607113350203 PMID 8649494 Tintinalli Judith 2004 Emergency Medicine A Comprehensive Study Guide Sixth edition McGraw Hill Professional p 1818 ISBN 0 07 138875 3 Marx John 2006 Rosen s emergency medicine concepts and clinical practice Mosby Elsevier p 2894 ISBN 978 0 323 02845 5 Marx John 2006 Rosen s emergency medicine concepts and clinical practice Mosby Elsevier p 2388 ISBN 978 0 323 02845 5 Patel R J et al January 2004 Prevalence of autonomic signs and symptoms in antimuscarinic drug poisonings J Emerg Med Vol 26 no 1 pp 89 94 PMID 14751484 Microclimate Conditioning Systems PDF US Army Natick Soldier RD amp E Center May 2007 Archived from the original PDF on 17 August 2016 Retrieved 2 August 2015 Northam Jackie 7 October 2014 Ebola Protective Suits Are In Short Supply National Public Radio Retrieved 21 January 2015 Lambert Patrick Role of gastrointestinal permeability in exertional heatstroke Exercise and Sport Science Reviews 32 4 185 190 2004 Byrne J H Neuroscience Online An Electronic Textbook for the Neurosciences Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy The University of Texas Medical School at Houston UTHealth Retrieved 13 January 2013 Muir Hazel 23 October 2010 Thermogeddon Too hot for humans New Scientist 208 2783 36 39 Bibcode 2010NewSc 208 36M doi 10 1016 S0262 4079 10 62649 8 Madge Grahame 9 November 2021 One billion face heat stress risk from 2 C rise Met Office Retrieved 10 November 2021 NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topics Heat Stress National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Retrieved 21 March 2014 Heatstroke treatment at eMedicine Wasserman Deena D Creech Julie A Healy Megan 2023 Cooling Techniques for Hyperthermia StatPearls Treasure Island FL StatPearls Publishing PMID 29083764 retrieved 2 September 2023 Smith J E 2005 Cooling methods used in the treatment of exertional heat illness British Journal of Sports Medicine 39 8 503 7 discussion 507 doi 10 1136 bjsm 2004 013466 PMC 1725271 PMID 16046331 Bouchama Abderrezak Dehbi Mohammed Chaves Carballo Enrique 2007 Cooling and hemodynamic management in heatstroke practical recommendations Critical Care 11 3 R54 doi 10 1186 cc5910 PMC 2206402 PMID 17498312 Casa DJ McDermott BP Lee EC Yeargin SW Armstrong LE Maresh CM July 2007 Cold water immersion the gold standard for exertional heatstroke treatment Exerc Sport Sci Rev 35 3 141 149 doi 10 1097 jes 0b013e3180a02bec PMID 17620933 S2CID 29436184 McDermott Brendon P Casa Douglas J Ganio Matthew S Lopez Rebecca M Yeargin Susan W Armstrong Lawrence E Maresh Carl M 2009 Acute Whole Body Cooling for Exercise Induced Hyperthermia A Systematic Review Journal of Athletic Training 44 1 84 93 doi 10 4085 1062 6050 44 1 84 PMC 2629045 PMID 19180223 Cramer Matthew N Jay Ollie 1 April 2016 Biophysical aspects of human thermoregulation during heat stress Autonomic Neuroscience SI Thermoregulation 196 3 13 doi 10 1016 j autneu 2016 03 001 ISSN 1566 0702 PMID 26971392 S2CID 3779953 Bongers Koen Sebastiaan Salahudeen Mohammed S Peterson Gregory M 23 October 2019 Drug associated non pyrogenic hyperthermia a narrative review European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 76 1 9 16 doi 10 1007 s00228 019 02763 5 ISSN 0031 6970 PMID 31642960 S2CID 204835523 Liss Alexander Naumova Elena N 2019 Heatwaves and hospitalizations due to hyperthermia in defined climate regions in the conterminous USA Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 191 S2 394 Bibcode 2019EMnAs 191S 394L doi 10 1007 s10661 019 7412 5 ISSN 0167 6369 PMID 31254102 S2CID 195761385 Basu Rupa Samet Jonathan M 1 December 2002 Relation between Elevated Ambient Temperature and Mortality A Review of the Epidemiologic Evidence Epidemiologic Reviews 24 2 190 202 doi 10 1093 epirev mxf007 ISSN 0193 936X PMID 12762092 Gover Mary 1938 Mortality during Periods of Excessive Temperature Public Health Reports 53 27 1122 1143 doi 10 2307 4582590 ISSN 0094 6214 JSTOR 4582590 Curriero Frank C Heiner Karlyn S Samet Jonathan M Zeger Scott L Strug Lisa Patz Jonathan A 1 January 2002 Temperature and Mortality in 11 Cities of the Eastern United States American Journal of Epidemiology 155 1 80 87 doi 10 1093 aje 155 1 80 ISSN 0002 9262 PMID 11772788 The authors also found a strong association of the temperature mortality relation with latitude with a greater effect of colder temperatures on mortality risk in more southern cities and of warmer temperatures in more northern cities Mallapur Chaitanya 27 May 2015 61 Rise In Heat Stroke Deaths Over Decade IndiaSpend Archived from the original on 29 June 2015 Retrieved 26 June 2015 India heatwave death toll passes 2 500 as victim families fight for compensation Reuters 2 June 2015 Archived from the original on 12 January 2022 Retrieved 26 June 2015 Haider Kamran Anis Khurrum 24 June 2015 Heat Wave Death Toll Rises to 2 000 in Pakistan s Financial Hub Bloomberg News Retrieved 3 August 2015 Robine Jean Marie et al February 2008 Death toll exceeded 70 000 in Europe during the summer of 2003 Comptes Rendus Biologies 331 2 171 178 doi 10 1016 j crvi 2007 12 001 ISSN 1631 0691 PMID 18241810 Walter Edward James Carraretto Mike 2016 The neurological and cognitive consequences of hyperthermia Critical Care 20 1 199 doi 10 1186 s13054 016 1376 4 ISSN 1364 8535 PMC 4944502 PMID 27411704 Leon Lisa R Bouchama Abderrezak 2015 Heat Stroke Comprehensive Physiology 5 2 American Cancer Society 611 647 doi 10 1002 cphy c140017 ISBN 978 0 470 65071 4 PMID 25880507 Hyperthermia in Cancer Treatment National Cancer Institute 31 August 2011 Retrieved 2 August 2015 Jha Sheetal Sharma Pramod Kumar Malviya Rishabha 1 December 2016 Hyperthermia Role and Risk Factor for Cancer Treatment Achievements in the Life Sciences 10 2 161 167 doi 10 1016 j als 2016 11 004 ISSN 2078 1520 Wust P Hildebrandt B Sreenivasa G Rau B Gellermann J Riess H Felix R Schlag PM 1 August 2002 Hyperthermia in combined treatment of cancer The Lancet Oncology 3 8 487 497 doi 10 1016 s1470 2045 02 00818 5 ISSN 1470 2045 PMID 12147435 van der Zee Jacoba Gonzalez Dionisio van Rhoon Gerard C van Dijk Jan DP van Putten Wim LJ Hart Augustinus AM 1 April 2000 Comparison of radiotherapy alone with radiotherapy plus hyperthermia in locally advanced pelvic tumours a prospective randomised multicentre trial The Lancet 355 9210 1119 1125 doi 10 1016 s0140 6736 00 02059 6 ISSN 0140 6736 PMID 10791373 S2CID 25518938 Alexander H R 1 January 2001 Isolation perfusion Cancer Principles and Practice of Oncology 1 2 External linksTips to Beat the Heat Archived 21 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine American Red Cross Extreme Heat CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response Workplace Safety and Health Topics Heat Stress CDC and NIOSH Excessive Heat Events Guidebook US EPA Physiological Responses to Exercise in the Heat US National Academies