You’ve probably heard of hypothermia, which occurs when your body’s temperature drops dangerously low. The opposite is hyperthermia, which happens when your body temperature rises too high, posing a serious health risk.
Hyperthermia is a broad term that covers various conditions caused by the body's inability to manage excess heat.
Severe hyperthermia is diagnosed when your body temperature exceeds 104°F (40°C). In contrast, hypothermia is defined as a body temperature of 95°F (35°C) or lower. The average body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C).
Stages of Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia can develop in several stages. While heat exhaustion is common, conditions like heat syncope may be less well-known. Here’s a rundown of different hyperthermic conditions and heat-related illnesses.
Heat Stress
When your body can’t cool itself through sweating, your temperature rises, leading to heat stress. This can escalate into heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Thirst
- Headache
If you experience these signs, move to a cooler place, rest, and drink water or electrolyte-rich fluids. Electrolytes like calcium, sodium, and potassium are crucial for hydration, heart rate regulation, nerve function, and muscle health. If symptoms worsen, seek medical help.
Heat Fatigue
Spending long hours in the heat can cause physical and psychological strain known as heat fatigue, especially for those not accustomed to high temperatures.
Besides feeling hot, thirsty, and tired, you might struggle to concentrate or coordinate. If you notice these signs, take a break from the heat and hydrate. Gradually acclimating to hot environments can help prevent future heat fatigue.
Heat Syncope
Heat syncope, or fainting, happens when your blood pressure drops, reducing blood flow to your brain. It’s common after exertion in hot environments and is more likely if you take beta-blockers for blood pressure.
Signs include dizziness or lightheadedness before fainting. If you feel faint, relax and cool down to prevent losing consciousness. Elevating your legs can help. Rehydrate with water or electrolyte drinks.
Heat Cramps
After intense activity in the heat, you might experience muscle cramps in your abdomen, legs, or arms due to an electrolyte imbalance. Rest in a cool place and replenish lost fluids and electrolytes to relieve cramps.
Heat Edema
Heat edema involves swelling in your hands, lower legs, or ankles after standing or sitting in the heat, especially if you’re not used to warm temperatures. This fluid buildup in your extremities often resolves once you acclimate to the heat. Cooling down, elevating your feet, and staying hydrated can help.
Heat Rash
Prolonged activity in the heat can cause red, pimple-like bumps to form under sweaty clothing. Heat rash usually clears up once you cool down or change clothes, but an infection can occur if your skin doesn’t cool soon after the rash appears.
Heat Exhaustion
One of the most severe stages of hyperthermia is heat exhaustion. This happens when your body can no longer cool itself effectively.
Along with excessive sweating, symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Thirst
- Coordination problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Cool, clammy skin
- Rapid pulse
Heat exhaustion is the final stage before heat stroke, making it crucial to rest and rehydrate as soon as you notice symptoms. If symptoms persist, seek medical help immediately.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
The most critical stage of hyperthermia is heat stroke, which can be fatal. Untreated heat-related illnesses can escalate to heat stroke.
Heat stroke occurs when your body temperature rises above 104°F (40°C), often signaled by fainting. Other symptoms include:
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Coordination issues
- Flushed skin
- Reduced sweating
- Weak or rapid pulse
If these signs appear, take the following steps:
- Move to a cool place, ideally with air conditioning.
- Drink water or sports drinks with electrolytes.
- Take a cool bath or shower to speed recovery.
- Place ice bags under your arms and around your groin.
If cooling off and rehydrating don’t improve symptoms, or if you see someone experiencing heat stroke, call emergency services immediately.
Who’s at Risk for Hyperthermia?
People working in extremely hot environments or exposed to high temperatures on the job are particularly vulnerable to hyperthermia. This includes construction workers, farmers, firefighters, and those working near large ovens or in poorly air-conditioned indoor spaces.
Certain health conditions and medications can also increase your risk. For example, heart and blood pressure medications like diuretics can impair your ability to cool down through sweating. A low-sodium diet for high blood pressure management can make you more susceptible to hyperthermia.
Children and older adults are at higher risk too. Kids often play hard in the heat without taking breaks to cool down and hydrate. Older adults may not notice temperature changes quickly and may not respond promptly if their environment gets too hot. Those living in homes without fans or air conditioning are particularly at risk during extreme heat.
What’s the Difference Between Hyperthermia and Fever?
Your body’s temperature is regulated by the hypothalamus, which maintains an average temperature of around 98.6°F (37°C), with slight variations throughout the day.
When your body detects an infection, the hypothalamus may increase your body’s temperature to make it less hospitable for viruses or bacteria, resulting in a fever. Once the infection is gone, your temperature returns to normal.
Hyperthermia, on the other hand, is caused by external environmental heat overwhelming the body's cooling mechanisms, like sweating. Your temperature rises in response to the external heat, leading to hyperthermia symptoms.
Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) can reduce a fever but are ineffective against hyperthermia. Only changing your environment, rehydrating, and using external cooling methods (like cool water or ice packs) can reverse hyperthermia.
How to Prevent Hyperthermia
Preventing hyperthermia starts with recognizing the risks of working or playing in extreme heat. Here are some precautions:
- Take breaks in the shade or an air-conditioned area. If possible, avoid being outside in extreme heat.
- Stay hydrated. Drink water or electrolyte beverages like Gatorade or Powerade every 15 to 20 minutes when active in the heat.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing outdoors.
- If your home lacks air conditioning, spend time in an air-conditioned public place like a mall or library during hot spells.
Key Takeaways
People working in extremely hot environments, such as construction workers, farmers, firefighters, and those near large ovens, are at high risk for hyperthermia. Certain medications and health conditions can also increase susceptibility. Children and older adults face higher risks due to their activity levels and diminished awareness of temperature changes. Hyperthermia, unlike fever, results from external heat overwhelming the body’s cooling mechanisms.
Preventive measures include taking breaks in cool areas, staying well-hydrated, wearing light clothing, and spending time in air-conditioned spaces during extreme heat. Recognizing these risks and symptoms is crucial for effective prevention and treatment.