Preventing Hyperthermia – Staying Safe in Heat and Humidity!
Extreme heat has been related to a higher risk of death in Canada and other countries. With temperatures and humidity increasing each year, it is important to keep yourself and loved ones safe by knowing the signs, symptoms, and prevention of hyperthermia to avoid emergency department visits and hospital admissions. Extreme heat events or waves pose a risk to the public every year due to overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun and other natural sources, but also artificial ones (e.g. industrial equipment and indoor tanning devices).
As the climate changes and the temperatures increase, so does the severity and impact of hyperthermia, with an increase in emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admissions.
What is Hyperthermia?
Hyperthermia occurs when the body overheats by absorbing a larger amount of heat than it can release, which then causes an abnormally high body temperature. If the environment a person is in is too hot for the body’s heat-regulating system in the body to handle, the body starts to overheat. Hyperthermia includes heat fatigue, heat syncope (dizziness from being exposed to heat for too long), heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Risk for these types of hyperthermia increase when outside temperature, general health, and a person’s lifestyle are all involved.
For example, not drinking enough liquid throughout the day, being in an area with no air conditioning during hot temperatures, no access to transportation, dressing too warmly for the weather, can all affect a person’s risk for hyperthermia.
Normal body temperature: 98.6℉ / 37℃
High body temperature: >99-100℉ / >37℃
Hyperthermia is usually a result of overworking the body in hot and/or humid conditions.
Who has the highest risk for hyperthermia?
- Infants and children under 4 years of age
- Individuals over the age of 65
- People who engage in strenuous outdoor occupations or physical activities in hot temperatures
- Individuals who are dehydrated and/or have an electrolyte imbalance
- Overconsumption of alcohol
- Certain diseases that affect sweating (e.g. Cystic Fibrosis)
- Certain medical conditions that affect the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, thyroid, blood vessels
- Overweight or underweight individuals
- Wearing heavy or tight clothing during hot temperatures
Here is a list of the least to most severe groups of hyperthermia:
Heat Cramps
Muscle cramping when electrolytes (salts and other vital substances in bodily fluids) are significantly lost from sweating. They usually are noticed in the arms, hands, lower legs and feet.
Symptoms
- Heavy sweating during exercise.
- Muscle pain/spasms
- Heavy sweating.
Treatments
- Stop physical activity, wait for cramp to go away.
- Move to a cool place.
- Drink water/sports drink to replenish lost fluid.
- Can worsen if not treated. Seek medical help if cramps last longer than 1 hour, if you have sodium problems, or heart problems
Heat Exhaustion
When the body temperature increases significantly, such as 104 degrees fahrenheit, which may lead to heatstroke.
Symptoms:
- Blurred vision.
- Dizziness.
- Fast breathing
- Fatigue, tiredness
- Headache.
- Light-headedness or fainting
- Low blood pressure.
- Muscle aches or cramps.
- Heavy sweating.
- Cold, pale, and clammy skin.
- Fast, WEAK pulse.
- Nausea and/or vomiting.
Treatment:
- Loosen tight clothing/remove clothing.
- Lower temperature using wet cloths, a cool bath.
- If symptoms last longer than 1 hour, vomiting, and/or symptoms get worse seek MEDICAL HELP. May lead to heat stroke if ignored.
Heat Rash
A skin irritation that can be found in the crease of the elbow, under the breasts, in the groin area, and/or on the upper chest and neck area. The rash may look like a group of small and red pimples or blisters.
Symptoms:
- Rash that may look like small, inflamed blister-like bumps
- Itching or prickling in the affected area
Treatment
- Stay in cool, dry area
- Keep rash dry
- Avoid scratching/picking at rash
- Normally goes away after cooling
Heatstroke
Most severe form of hyperthermia and life-threatening. The body temperature rises to 104 degrees or above (danger increases when above 106), which then causes brain and other organ issues.
Symptoms:
- Anhidrosis
- Balance problems.
- Delirium
- Hot, flushed skin or very pale skin.
- Low or high blood pressure.
- Seizures.
- High temperature (> 103 F)
- Fast, STRONG, pulse
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
Treatment:
- Call 911.
- This is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY because it can lead to shock, coma, organ failure, and/or death
- Move the person to a cool area, try to lower their temperature, and do NOT give individuals anything to drink.
Preventing Hyperthermia
- Avoid exercising or physical activity in hot, humid conditions
- Drink sports drinks, lightly salted water
- Do not leave children or pets in closed, hot spaces (including but not limited to cars)
- Stay in areas that are air-conditioned or well-ventilated when heat waves occur
- Wear light, loose clothing if out in the heat
If you must be outside for your job or sport, allow your body to slowly get used to the heat by starting with light work or exercise two weeks before the more challenging work begins. By doing so, your body gets used to the high temperature and will be able to manage it better.
Since early mornings are cooler than mid-afternoon, try and work as early as possible in the day.
Older people and/or people with chronic medical conditions should be cautious during hot temperatures and high humidity days by staying indoors, visiting places with air conditioning (e.g. senior centers, shopping malls, movie theaters, libraries).
How is Hyperthermia Diagnosed?
A healthcare provider would diagnose hyperthermia by assessing the patient’s symptoms and performing a physical exam, as well as taking their temperature. Blood or urine tests may also be ordered.
Unsure about Your Symptoms?
Any questions or concerns about hyperthermia our family doctors will gladly address. Call us for advice! Phone appointments are available.
Not in Ontario? Please visit the nearest emergency room to be treated immediately.
Ready to book an appointment with your family doctor? Use our online booking system below:
Grace Health Centre cares for you and your well-being. For your convenience, our doctors offer extensive appointment care coverage on weekdays and Saturdays. We offer in-person appointments, as well as telephone visits for when you are out of town. Ensure to call our office first rather than visiting a local walk-in, and note that both yourself and your health care provider must be in Ontario for the visit to be covered under OHIP
Instructions on how to use our online booking portal are listed on our website. If you have any additional questions, please call our office at 416-633-7337.
For More Information?
Visit our website to check out our resources to learn more about dehydrations, how to prevent it, and how to best treat it!
The following videos are also great resources to better understand hyperthermia’s signs and symptoms.
Thermal Stress in the Workplace: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/health-safety/reports/thermal-stress-work-place.html
Dealing with Heatwaves and Extreme Heat: https://science.gc.ca/site/science/en/blogs/science-health/health-canada-helps-canadians-stay-cool-and-healthy