ABSTRACT
Heatstroke is an acute medical emergency that is always fatal if left untreated. The diagnosis of heatstroke should be considered in any hyperthermic patient with altered mental status during a heat wave or following vigorous muscle exertion. Heat can damage the structure and function of essential macromolecules, including proteins, membrane lipids, and nucleic acids, and thereby lead to multiple-organ failure, culminating in death. The cytotoxic effect of heat is a function of degree and duration of hyperthermia; thus, an early diagnosis and prompt initiation of cooling are paramount to halt progression to tissue damage and death.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Body Temperature Regulation
/
Heat Stroke
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Screening_studies
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Handb Clin Neurol
Year:
2018
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Saudi Arabia