Heatstroke Health Dictionary

  1. Health Encyclopedia
  2. Heatstroke

Heatstroke: From 3 Different Sources

Sunstroke. Should not be confused with heat exhaustion.

Symptoms: skin hot, dry and flushed. High temperature and high humidity dispose. Sweating mechanism disorganised. Delirium, headache, shock, dizziness, possible coma, nausea, profuse sweating followed by absence of sweat causing skin to become hot and dry; rapid rise in body temperature, muscle twitching, tachycardia, dehydration.

Treatment. Hospital emergency. Reduce temperature by immersion of victim in bath of cold water. Wrap in a cold wet sheet. Lobelia, to equalise the circulation. Feverfew to regulate sweating mechanism. Yarrow to reduce temperature. Give singly or in combination as available.

Alternatives. Tea. Lobelia 1; Feverfew 2; Yarrow 2. Mix. 2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Half-1 cup freely. Vomiting to be regarded as favourable.

Tinctures. Combine: Lobelia 1; Pleurisy root 2; Valerian 1. Dose: 1-2 teaspoons in water every 2 hours. Decoction. Irish Moss; drink freely.

Practitioner. Tincture Gelsemium BPC (1973). Dose: 0.3ml (5 drops).

Alternate hot and cold compress to back of neck and forehead. Hot Chamomile footbath.

Diet. Irish Moss products. High salt. Abundant drinks of spring water.

Supplements. Kelp tablets, 2 thrice daily. Vitamin C (1g after meals thrice daily). Vitamin E (one 500iu capsule morning and evening).

Vitamin C for skin protection. Increasing Vitamin C after exposure to the sun should help protect against the sun’s ultra violet rays, as skin Vitamin C levels were shown to be severely depleted after exposure. (British Journal of Dermatology 127, 247-253) 

Health Source: Bartrams Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
Author: Health Encyclopedia
A life-threatening condition in which overexposure to heat coupled with a breakdown of the body’s heatregulating mechanisms cause the body to become dangerously overheated.

Heatstroke is most commonly caused by prolonged, unaccustomed exposure to the sun in a hot climate. Strenuous activity, unsuitable clothing, overeating, and drinking too much alcohol are sometimes contributory factors.

Heatstroke is often preceded by heat exhaustion, which consists of fatigue and profuse sweating. With the onset of heatstroke, the sweating diminishes and may stop entirely. The skin becomes hot and dry, breathing is shallow, and the pulse is rapid and weak. Body temperature rises dramatically and, without treatment, the victim may lose consciousness and even die.

Heatstroke can be prevented by gradual acclimatization to hot conditions (see heat disorders). If heatstroke develops, emergency treatment is required. This consists of cooling the victim by wrapping him or her in a cold, wet sheet, fanning, sponging with water, and giving salt solution.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
(sunstroke) n. raised body temperature (pyrexia), absence of sweating, and eventual loss of consciousness due to failure or exhaustion of the temperature-regulating mechanism of the body. It is potentially fatal unless treated immediately: the body should be cooled by applying damp cloths and body fluids restored by giving drinks or intravenous injections of salted water.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Sunstroke

A common form of heatstroke.... sunstroke

Ecstasy

Ecstasy refers to a morbid mental condition, associated with an extreme sense of wellbeing, with a feeling of rapture, and temporary loss of self-control. It often presents as a form of religious obsession, with a feeling of direct communication with God, saintly voices and images being perceived. In milder cases the patient may preach as though with a divine mission to help others. Ecstasy may occur in happiness PSYCHOSIS, SCHIZOPHRENIA, certain forms of EPILEPSY, and abnormal personalities.

The term is also a street drug name for an amphetamine derivative, 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA, increasingly used as a ‘recreational’ drug. It is classi?ed as a class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. MDMA is structurally similar to endogenous CATECHOLAMINES and produces central and peripheral sympathetic stimulation of alpha and beta ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS. It is taken into nerve terminals by the serotonin transporter and causes release of the NEUROTRANSMITTER substances serotonin and dopamine. Following this, SEROTONIN depletion is prolonged. As serotonin plays a major part in mood control, this leads to the characteristic ‘midweek depression’ experienced by MDMA users.

Several fatalities in young people have been attributed to adverse reactions resulting from MDMA use/abuse and possibly accompanying alcohol consumption. The principal effects are increase in pulse, blood pressure, temperature and respiratory rate. Additional complications such as cardiac ARRHYTHMIA, heatstroke-type syndrome, HYPONATRAEMIA and brain haemorrhage may occur. There is also concern over possible effects on the mental concentration and memory of those using ecstasy.

Management of patients who get to hospital is largely symptomatic and supportive but may include gastric decontamination, and use of DIAZEPAM as the ?rst line of treatment as it reduces central stimulation which may also reduce TACHYCARDIA, HYPERTENSION and PYREXIA.... ecstasy

Cystic Fibrosis

A genetic disorder, characterized by a tendency to develop chronic lung infections and an inability to absorb fats and other nutrients from food. The main feature of cystic fibrosis (CF) is secretion of sticky mucus, which is unable to flow freely, in the nose, throat, airways, and intestines.

The course and severity of the disease vary. Typically, a child passes unformed, pale, oily, foul-smelling faeces and may fail to thrive. Often, growth is stunted and the child has recurrent respiratory infections. Without prompt treatment, pneumonia, bronchitis, and bronchiectasis may develop, causing lung damage. Most male sufferers and some females are infertile. CF causes excessive loss of salt in sweat, and heatstroke and collapse may occur in hot weather.

Heat Cramps

Painful contractions in muscles that are caused by excessive salt loss as a result of profuse sweating. Heat cramps are usually brought on by strenuous activity in extreme heat. The condition may occur independently, or is sometimes a symptom of heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Prevention and treatment consist of taking salt tablets or drinking weak salt solution.... heat cramps

Heat Disorders

The body functions most efficiently around 37°C, and any major temperature deviation disrupts body processes. The malfunctioning or overloading of the body’s mechanisms for keeping internal temperature constant may cause a heat disorder.

The mechanisms by which the body loses unwanted heat are controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain. When blood temperature rises, the hypothalamus sends out nerve impulses to stimulate the sweat glands and dilate blood vessels in the skin, which cools the body down. However, excessive sweating may result in an imbalance of salts and fluids in the body, which may lead to heat cramps or heat exhaustion. When the hypothalamus is disrupted (for example, by a fever), the body may overheat, leading to heatstroke. Excessive external heat may cause prickly heat.

Most heat disorders can be prevented by gradual acclimatization to hot conditions and taking salt tablets or solution.

A light diet and frequent cool baths or showers may also help.

Alcohol and strenuous exercise should be avoided.... heat disorders

Insolation

n. exposure to the sun’s rays. See also heatstroke.... insolation

Heat Exhaustion

Fatigue, culminating in collapse, caused by overexposure to heat. There are 3 main causes of heat exhaustion: insufficient water intake, insufficient salt intake, and a deficiency in sweat production. In addition to fatigue, symptoms may include faintness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, headache, and, when salt loss is heavy, heat cramps. The skin is usually pale and clammy, breathing is fast and shallow, and the pulse is rapid and weak. Unless it is treated, heat exhaustion may develop into heatstroke.

Treatment of heat exhaustion involves rest and the replenishment of lost water and salt.

Prevention is usually by gradual acclimatization to hot conditions.... heat exhaustion

Sunlight, Adverse Effects Of

Problems resulting from overexposure to sunlight. Fair-skinned people are more susceptible. Short-term overexposure causes sunburn and, in intense heat, can result in heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Repeated overexposure over a long period can cause premature aging of the skin and solar keratoses. It increases the risk of skin cancer. Protection of the skin with sunscreens helps to prevent sun damage. Photosensitivity is an abnormal sensitivity to sunlight, resulting in a rash.

Exposure to sunlight can affect the eyes, causing irritation of the conjunctiva, actinic keratopathy, or pterygium.

Good sunglasses help to prevent eye problems.... sunlight, adverse effects of


Health encyclopedia icon Health Encyclopedia

Recent Searches