Heat syndrome
Heat syndrome: Excerpt from Handbook of Diseases
Resulting from environmental or internal conditions that increase heat production or impair heat dissipation, heat syndrome falls into three categories: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. (See Managing heat syndrome.)
Causes
Normally, humans adjust to excessive temperatures by complex cardiovascular and neurologic changes that are coordinated by the hypothalamus. Heat loss offsets heat production to regulate the body temperature. This is done by evaporation (sweating) or vasodilation, which cools the body’s surface by radiation, conduction, and convection.
Heat production increases with exercise, infection, and use of drugs such as amphetamines.
Heat loss decreases with high temperatures or humidity, lack of acclimatization, excess clothing, obesity, dehydration, cardiovascular disease, sweat gland dysfunction, and use of drugs, such as phenothiazines and anticholinergics.
When heat loss mechanisms fail to offset heat production, the body retains heat and heat syndrome may develop.
Special considerations
❑ Heat illnesses are easily preventable, so it’s important to educate individuals about the various factors that cause them. This information is especially vital for athletes, laborers, and soldiers in field training.
Clinical tip Advise patients to avoid heat syndrome by taking the following precautions in hot weather: rest frequently, avoid hot places, drink adequate fluids, and wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing.
❑ Advise patients who are obese, elderly, or taking drugs that impair heat regulation to avoid overheating.
❑ Tell patients who have had heat cramps or heat exhaustion to increase their salt and water intake. They should also refrain from exercising until symptoms resolve, then resume exercises gradually with plenty of electrolyte-containing fluids and precautions to prevent overheating.
❑ Warn patients with heatstroke that residual hypersensitivity to high temperatures may persist for several months.
❑ Parents should be aware that young children and infants are at risk for overheating in hot weather.
Pictures
Book Source Details
- Book Title: Handbook of Diseases
- Author(s): Springhouse
- Year of Publication: 2003
- Copyright Details: Handbook of Diseases, Copyright © 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
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Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
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More About This Book:
Title: Handbook of Diseases
Authors: Springhouse
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright: 2003
ISBN: 1-58255-266-5
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