Hypothermia And Heat Stroke: Unlikely Duo, Possible Danger

Heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke, occur when the body has trouble cooling itself down. Hypothermia, on the other hand, is when the body's core temperature drops below what is required for normal metabolism and body functions. While heat stroke is caused by the body's inability to cool itself, hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Both conditions are dangerous and require immediate medical attention.

Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are both heat-related illnesses (hyperthermia) caused by the body's inability to cool itself down. Hyperthermia refers to a group of conditions that occur when the body has trouble reducing its internal temperature. The human body usually can regulate its temperature. When the body gets too hot, it uses several strategies to cool down, including sweating. However, if a person spends too much time in the heat without taking in enough fluids, the body's cooling processes can malfunction.

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses excess amounts of water and salt, typically from sweating. Its symptoms include nausea, light-headedness, fatigue, muscle cramping, dizziness, and headache. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can quickly turn into heat stroke.

Heat stroke is a serious, potentially life-threatening form of heat illness. It is a medical emergency that occurs when the body is unable to control its internal temperature. The body temperature rises to 104–105°F or higher, and the individual may develop neurological changes, such as mental confusion, odd behaviour, or unconsciousness. Heat stroke can occur from physical activity in the heat (exertional heat stroke) or simply from being in a hot environment for too long (non-exertional heat stroke).

To prevent heat-related illnesses, it is important to stay hydrated and limit physical activity and time spent in hot environments. Wearing lightweight and light-coloured clothing can also help keep the body cool. Additionally, taking cool showers or using cold compresses can help lower body temperature.

Hyperthermia vs. hypothermia

Hypothermia and hyperthermia are both conditions that occur when the body is exposed to extreme temperatures, impairing its ability to regulate its internal temperature. Hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, whereas hyperthermia results from prolonged exposure to extreme heat.

Causes of Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when the body is exposed to cold temperatures, causing it to lose heat faster than it can produce it. The wind chill factor can increase heat loss, and immersion in cold water can speed up heat loss by 25 times compared to exposure to cold air. Other causes include wearing wet clothing in cool temperatures, inadequate clothing layers, and staying in sweaty base layers. Certain groups are at higher risk, including the elderly, young children, individuals with certain medical conditions, and those under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Symptoms of Hypothermia

The initial sign of hypothermia is shivering, the body's natural mechanism to generate heat. As hypothermia progresses, symptoms can include lack of coordination, confusion, memory loss, drowsiness, slurred speech, and eventually, loss of consciousness.

Treating Hypothermia

If someone is suspected of having hypothermia, it is crucial to move them to a warm and dry location, remove any wet clothing, and use dry clothing, blankets, and thermal blankets to warm them up. Warm beverages are recommended, but alcohol and caffeine should be avoided as they can accelerate heat loss.

Causes of Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia occurs when the body's core temperature rises too high, often due to prolonged exposure to extreme heat or high humidity. Certain factors can increase the risk, such as high exertion levels, dehydration, and spending excessive time in hot tubs or saunas.

Symptoms of Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia can present in various stages, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Early warning signs include excessive sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, and headache. Heat stroke is the most severe form of hyperthermia and is characterised by a very high body temperature, confusion, rapid pulse, loss of consciousness, and potentially seizures.

Treating Hyperthermia

Preventative measures are essential for hyperthermia, such as staying hydrated and maintaining electrolyte balance. If someone is experiencing hyperthermia, it is crucial to get them to a cooler area, provide cool liquids, and remove unnecessary clothing. For heat stroke, immediate medical attention is required. While waiting for assistance, it is recommended to cool the person down by having them remove excess clothing, applying ice packs or cold towels, and using fans to encourage cooling.

Heat stroke symptoms

Heat stroke is a life-threatening heat illness. It is caused when the body gets too hot and the body's cooling processes can't work properly. The body temperature rises to 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, and the person develops neurological changes. The first symptoms of heat illness occur as the body temperature climbs above normal, and can include headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps and fatigue. These early symptoms are sometimes called heat exhaustion. If steps are not taken to reduce body temperature, heat exhaustion can worsen and become heat stroke.

Heat stroke can occur from doing physical activity in the heat (exertional heat stroke) or simply from being in a hot environment for too long (classic/non-exertional heat stroke). It can come on suddenly, but there are often warning symptoms. These include:

• Heavy sweating or a lack of sweat
• Odd or bizarre behaviour
• Mental confusion or unconsciousness
• Slurred speech
• Delirium

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. If you or someone else is experiencing these symptoms, call 911 or seek emergency medical help immediately. Move the person to a cooler place, preferably an air-conditioned room. Help to lower their body temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath. Do not give them anything to drink.

Preventing heat-related illnesses

Staying safe in hot weather requires taking proactive steps to prevent heat-related illnesses. Heat-related illnesses occur when the body struggles to cool itself down. Typically, the body cools itself by sweating, but in hot and humid weather, or when the body produces a lot of internal heat, it can become overwhelmed. This can lead to a range of heat-related illnesses, from mild conditions like heat rash and heat cramps to more severe and life-threatening conditions like heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

To prevent heat-related illnesses, it is important to take the following measures:

• Stay Cool: As much as possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, spend a few hours in a shopping mall or public library to give your body a break from the heat. You can also take a cool shower or bath to cool off.
• Wear Appropriate Clothing: Choose lightweight, loose-fitting clothing made from breathable materials. Light-colored clothing is preferable as it reflects sunlight and heat better than dark colors.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, even if you don't feel thirsty. Avoid sugary and alcoholic drinks, as these can lead to further fluid loss. If you are staying active in the heat, consider a sports drink to replace the salt and minerals lost through sweating.
• Limit Physical Activity: Reduce or avoid strenuous physical activity during the hottest parts of the day, typically between 10 am and 4 pm. If you must engage in physical activity, take frequent breaks in a cool, shaded, or indoor location.
• Be Informed: Keep yourself informed about extreme heat warnings and safety tips from local authorities. Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and how to treat them.
• Protect Yourself from the Sun: When outdoors, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Reapply sunscreen as directed.
• Avoid Hot and Heavy Meals: These types of meals can add heat to your body, making it more difficult to regulate your temperature.
• Check on High-Risk Individuals: Infants, young children, the elderly, and people with certain medical conditions are at higher risk of heat-related illnesses. Visit or check in on them regularly during heat waves.

By taking these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing heat-related illnesses and enjoy the hot weather safely.

Hyperthermia treatment

Hyperthermia is a type of treatment in which body tissue is heated to as high as 113 °F (45 °C) to help damage and kill cancer cells with little or no harm to normal tissue. Hyperthermia treatment can be local, regional, or whole-body hyperthermia, depending on the extent of the area being treated. Here is a detailed description of each type:

Local Hyperthermia

Local hyperthermia is used to heat a small area, such as a tumor. Very high temperatures are used to kill cancer cells and destroy nearby blood vessels. The heat may be applied in different ways, such as through high-energy waves aimed at the tumor from a machine outside the body or by inserting a thin needle or probe into the tumor to release energy and heat the surrounding tissue. Local hyperthermia can be used to treat small tumors in or just beneath the skin, tumors in small body cavities, and tumors that are too deep in the body for surgery. An example of local hyperthermia therapy is Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), which is commonly used to treat tumors in the liver, kidneys, and lungs.

Regional Hyperthermia

Regional hyperthermia targets larger areas of the body, such as organs, limbs, or body cavities. It is usually combined with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. One approach is regional perfusion, where the blood supply to a part of the body is isolated, heated, and then pumped back into the area to heat it. Chemotherapy can be pumped in simultaneously. Another technique, continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion (CHPP) or hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), involves circulating heated chemotherapy drugs through the peritoneal cavity during surgery to treat cancers in this area. Regional hyperthermia can also be achieved through deep tissue hyperthermia, which uses devices placed on the surface of the organ or body cavity to produce high-energy waves directed at the treatment area.

Whole-Body Hyperthermia

Whole-body hyperthermia is being studied as a way to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy in treating metastatic cancer. Body temperature can be raised using heating blankets, warm-water immersion, or thermal chambers. Whole-body hyperthermia may induce a fever-like state, which can activate certain immune cells and increase cell-killing compounds in the blood. This type of hyperthermia is sometimes accompanied by sedation or light anesthesia.

Side Effects and Benefits

The side effects of hyperthermia treatment depend on the specific technique and the treated body area. Local hyperthermia can cause pain, infection, bleeding, blood clots, swelling, burns, blistering, and damage to nearby skin, muscles, and nerves. Regional and whole-body hyperthermia can induce nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Rarely, they can also affect the heart, blood vessels, and other major organs. However, hyperthermia treatment has several benefits. It can improve the effectiveness of other cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and it may be an option for individuals who are not healthy enough for surgery or have tumors that are difficult to reach surgically.

Frequently asked questions