What we need to know about HYPERTHERMIA and
This post is for Massage Therapist or anyone who is involved in Healthcare industry and whose everyday duty is to help people feel better and recover, and also athletes – just to educate them about symptoms, so they will be aware of what may happen while event.
HYPERTHERMIA – when the body’s rate of heat production is greater than its ability to dissipate heat.
SIGNS OF HYPERTHERMIA:
- clumsiness, stumbling
- excessive sweating, or no sweating
- headache, nausea
- hair on neck and arms are standing up
TYPES OF HYPERTHERMIA:
1. Heat Cramps:
- a result of profuse sweating that removes water and salt from the body
- can cause localized muscle cramping
- cramps tend to occur in muscles used in event, but do not appear until the person relaxes after the event
- massage therapist should remove client from any source of direct heat
- give room-temperature fluids only
- more heat retention and fluid loss
- symptoms are headache tiredness, vomiting and rapid pulse
- decreased blood volume and lowered blood pressure
- educate client to rest and replace fluid
3. Heat Strokes:
- body temperature up to 105 degrees
- hot, dry skin; confusion
- a loss of consciousness
- body responds to loss of fluid by reducing blood flow to the skin and sweat glands
- loosen clothing; remove hat
- if person conscious, replace electrolytes (T info: sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride)
- can be fatal!
- call medical emergency if you can not handle the situation!!!
HYPOTHERMIA – a shock like condition that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can be produced. Body temperature falls below 95F. It is a medical emergency!
- bodily organs can not function normally
- untreated it can lead to failure of heart and respiratory systems
- can be fatal
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:
- lack of coordination
- confusion or difficulty thinking
- decreased heart rate; weak pulse
- progressive loss of consciousness
- skin is cool, wet
- shallow breathing
WHAT TO DO FOR MILD HYPOTHERMIA?
- get emergency help immediately!!!
- keep athlete on table to prevent further decrease in blood pressure
- remove any wet clothing
- cover them with warm blankets
- cover and keep head and feet warm (this is where heat dispels the quickest)
- if athlete is conscious, give them warm liquids after initial steps have been taken
- friction massage
- once the athlete has regained cohesion and focus and is able to stand, encourage slow walking to begin recovery
- Important: if they stop shivering, they could be close to death!