HWN Suggests

Management of Environmental Heat Injury in the ED

The use of cold-water immersion therapy in non-exertional heat stroke is still under debate, but the limited evidence shows that evaporative and convective cooling by a combination of cool water spray with continual airflow over the body may be superior, especially in the elderly suffering from non-exertional heat stroke. In many emergency departments, complete cold water immersion therapy may not be readily available and limited by the placement of cardiac leads, intubation, and IV access, so evaporative and convective cooling methods become first-line for both exertional and non-exertional heat stroke in the emergency department setting should cold water immersion be unavailable. Should…

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Articles of Interest

Hyperthermia

Uncontrolled hyperthermia differs from fever in that the body temperature is elevated above the thermoregulatory set point due to excessive heat production and/or insufficient heat dissipation.

Hyperthermia Syndromes

A life-threatening emergency in which there is a failure of the body’s thermoregulatory mechanisms to handle extrinsic and intrinsic heat. The failure of thermoregulation leads to multi-system organ dysfunction characterized by alteration of neurologic function.

Hyperthermia-associated toxidromes

The following toxidromes are associated with hyperthermia and may be difficult to distinguish: serotonin syndrome, anticholingeric syndrome, sympathomimetic syndrome, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, malignant hyperthermia.

Beat the Heat: Avoiding Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia is usually caused by either heat stroke or drugs. There are two types of heat stroke: exertional or non-exertional.

Hyperthermia, Fever, and Fever of Undetermined Origin

Hyperthermia is caused by the failure of thermoregulation; the pyrexia associated with it can be mild or severe. The most important causes of severe hyperthermia are heatstroke, neuroleptic syndrome, and malignant hyperthermia of anesthesia.

Hyperthermia: too hot for your health

Hyperthermia is an abnormally high body temperature caused by a failure of the heat-regulating mechanisms of the body to deal with the heat coming from the environment. Heat fatigue, heat syncope (sudden dizziness after prolonged exposure to the heat), heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are commonly known forms of hyperthermia. Risk for these conditions can increase with the combination of outside temperature, general health and individual lifestyle.

Scientists Study Whether Hyperthermia Treatment Makes Chemo More Effective

Studies have found raising the temperature of organs and cells seems to make some cancer treatments more effective.

The neurological and cognitive consequences of hyperthermia

An elevated temperature by whatever cause, infective or non-infective, affects many organ systems of the body, sometimes with damage which is irreversible,

Resources

International Journal of Hyperthermia

Publishes articles on various aspects of thermal energy and thermal therapy in clinical, biological or engineering studies involving human or animals.

Physiopaedia

Hyperthermia is defined as a body temperature greater than 40°C and consists of a spectrum of conditions that range from mild (heat oedema, heat rash) to life-threatening (heat stroke).