Hyperthermia/Hypothermia
Know the Facts
What is it?
-Hyperthermia is an abnormal increase in body temperature. It is also known as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
-Hypothermia is when the body looses heat faster than it can produce and drops below normal temperature (98.6° F).
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The Risks of Hyperthermia/Hypothermia
-Some of the risks that result with hyperthermia are high blood pressure, poor circulation, and inability to perspire. High temperatures can be life threatening.
-Some risks of hypothermia are brain cell damage, muscel deteriation, and organ failure (increased with frostbite). Frost bite happens when your skin and tissue freeze. The most common areas of frost bite are hands and feet.
Causes and Prevention
-One of the main causes of Hyperthermia is excessive activity. When a person gets hot the body perspires. When it gets too hot the body can't handle it, resulting in hyperthermia. To prevent hyperthermia you should drink lots of water before activity, wear loose clothing, and try not to be in the heat for long periods of time.
-Hypothermia is usually caused by sub-zero temperatures or long periods of exposure to cool temperatures. People that have wet clothes on and don't change to dry clothes can get Hypothermia. To prevent this from happening avoid alcohol, eat well, exercise often, move around, and heat environment properly. Parents also need to make sure their kids are dressed properly for the weather conditions.
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Want to Know More?
-There are on average 38 child deaths from hyperthermia.
-To prevent this from happening do not leave a child unattended in a car for long periods of time.
-The human body cools 25 times faster in cold water than in air.
-Elders are more likely to get hypothermia or hypothermia because they may have a condition that affects their temperature regulation.
-Children have a higher risk because their temperature rises and falls faster than adults. They also have a hard time telling when they're too cold or too hot.