Heat-strok

Abstract EN

Heat illness may be viewed as a continuum of illness relating to the body inability to cope with heat.

It includes minor illness, such as heat cramps, as well as heat syncope and heat exhaustion.

Heat-stroke is the most sever Form of the heat-related illness and is defined as a body temperature higher than 41.1°C, which is associated with neurologic dysfunction. Two forms of Heat-stroke exist.

Exertional heat-stroke generally occurs in young individuals who engage in strenuous physical activity for a prolonged time in a hot environment (air temperature more than 32.2°C).

The second form is the classic non-exertional heat-stroke, which affects more commonly sedentary elderly individuals, who are chronically ill, and the very young.

The classic form occurs during environmental heal waves and is more common in areas that have not experienced a heat wave in many years.

Both types of heat-stroke are associated with a high morbidity and mortality, especially when therapy is delayed. Because behavioral responses are important in the management of temperature elevations, heat-stroke may be entirely preventable.