Heat stroke - A common problem in hot and humid climate

Before knowing about heat stroke we should first know about heat hyperpyrexia which is by definition a body teperature of more than 40 degree C or 106 degree F due to exposure of high environmental temperature.

Though human body has effective mechanism to acclimatize such climatic conditions but in some case when acclimatization mechanism fails, it leads to heat syndrome or heat hyperpyrexia.

Heat hyperpyrexia can occur in two ways i. heat stroke and ii. heat exhaustion.

Heat stroke

Heat stroke is a catastrophic condition in which there is complete breakdown of thermoregulatory mechanism of our body and the body temperature raises above 41 degree centigrade or 106 deg Farenhiet. This high fever may be associated with loss of sweating and there may be profound disturbance in consciousness,

Loss of sweating is the characteristic of heat stroke.

Risk factors for heat stroke

There are certain predisposing factors for heat stroke. High environmental temperature is the commonest one andmost of the cases are seen in the month of May to June especially in Indian and African subcontinents. A humid climate adds as a precipitating factor and the sea coasts are more humid.

Old age and debility are another predisposing factors as the body mechanism is weaker and more prone to heat stroke.

Diabetes, obesity and alcoholism add as a risk factor as the fat content are more prone as in obesity the exposure area is more. In diabetes and alcoholism the basic metabolism of body is hampered and makes more prone to heat stroke.Any associated infection or cardiovascular accidents lead to alter normal basic thermoregulatory mechanism of body and can lead to heat stroke.

Less water intake, dehydration which may be due to heavy exercise or excessive physical work may lead to depletion of salt and water and may be a risk factor for heat stroke.

Forms of heat stroke

As mentioned in the risk factor heat stroke can be caused by salt depletion which can be due to excess work of exertion, thus heat stroke can occur in two forms-

Exertional heat stroke

Exertional heat stroke occurs in unacclimatized young person who perform strenuous work like a sportsman playing in hot humid climate, an athelete, soldiers and labourers. They perform heavy and strenuous work in hot and humid climate and lead to heat stroke.

Classical or non exertional heat stroke

This form of heat stroke occurs generally in elderly and debilitated persons or suffering from diseases like diabetes, taking anticholinergic drugs or any diuretics. Patient on drug for Parkinson's disease are also prone to unexertional heat stroke. This for is often epidemic during heat waves of hot summer climate.

Heat stroke can affect almost all organs and system of our body. Details of its effect is given here at symptoms of heat stroke.

Management should be initiated as early as possible and main aim should be cooling of body temperature by ice bags and fanning. Details of management is given at management of heat stroke. This aticle also provide some preventive measures for heat stroke.