Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [2],Usama Talib, BSc, MD [3]
Overview
On the basis of temperature, heat stroke must be differentiated from heat wave, heat stress, heat exhaustion, hyperthermia and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome. Heat stroke is classified to 2 types: Exertional heat stroke (EHS) generally occurs in young individuals who engage in strenuous physical activity for a prolonged period in a hot environment and classic nonexertional heat stroke (NEHS) more commonly affects sedentary elderly individuals, persons who are chronically ill, and very young persons.[1]
Classification
Heat related problems may be classified based on the temperature and the clinical presentation. The following table summarizes the related terms.[1][2]
| Condition
|
Definition
|
| Heat wave
|
Three or more consecutive days during which the air temperature is >32.2°C.
|
| Heat stress
|
Perceived discomfort and physiological strain associated with exposure to a hot environment, especially during physical work.
|
| Heat stroke
|
Severe illness characterized by a core temperature >40°C and central nervous system abnormalities such as delirium, convulsions,
or coma resulting from exposure to environmental heat (classic heat stroke) or strenuous physical exercise (exertional heat stroke).
|
| Heat exhaustion
|
Mild-to-moderate illness due to water or salt depletion that results from exposure to high environmental heat or strenuous physical
exercise; signs and symptoms include intense thirst, weakness, discomfort, anxiety, dizziness, fainting, and headache; core temperature
may be normal, below normal, or slightly elevated (>37°C but <40°C).
|
| Hyperthermia
|
A rise in body temperature above the hypothalamic set point when heat-dissipating mechanisms are impaired (by drugs or disease) or
overwhelmed by external (environmental or induced) or internal (metabolic) heat.
|
| Multiorgan-dysfunction
syndrome
|
Continuum of changes that occur in more than one organ system after an insult such as trauma, sepsis, or heat stroke.
|
Heat stroke is classified to 2 types.
- Exertional heat stroke (EHS) generally occurs in young individuals who engage in strenuous physical activity for a prolonged period in a hot environment.
- Classic nonexertional heat stroke (NEHS) more commonly affects sedentary elderly individuals, persons who are chronically ill, and very young persons.[1]
References
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