Heatstroke

Páginas: 3 (634 palabras) Publicado: 5 de marzo de 2011
What is heat stroke?
Heat stroke is a form ofhyperthermia, an abnormally elevated body temperature with accompanying physical and neurological symptoms. Unlike heat cramps and heat exhaustion, twoother forms of hyperthermia that are less severe, heat stroke is a true medical emergency that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated. Heat stroke is also sometimes referred to asheatstroke.
The body normally generates heat as a result of metabolism, and is usually able to dissipate the heat by either radiation of heat through the skin or by evaporation of sweat. However, in extremeheat, high humidity, or vigorous physical exertion under the sun, the body may not be able to dissipate the heat and the body temperature rises, sometimes up to 106 F (41.1 C) or higher. Another causeof heat stroke is dehydration. A dehydrated person may not be able to sweat fast enough to dissipate heat, which causes the body temperature to rise.
Those most susceptible individuals to heartstrokes include:
* infants, 
* the elderly (often with associated heart diseases, lung diseases, kidney diseases, or who are taking medications that make them vulnerable to dehydration and heatstrokes), 
* athletes, and
* individuals who work outside and physically exert themselves under the sun.
What are heat stroke symptoms and signs?
Symptoms of heat stroke can sometimes mimicthose of heart attack or other conditions. Sometimes a person experiences symptoms of heat exhaustion before progressing to heat strokes.
Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
* nausea,* vomiting, 
* fatigue, 
* weakness,
* headache, 
* muscle cramps and aches, and 
* dizziness.
However, some individuals can develop symptoms of heat stroke suddenly and rapidlywithout warning.
Different people may have different symptoms and signs of heatstroke. But common symptoms and signs of heat stroke include:
* high body temperature,
* the absence of...
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