Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is a serious condition that happens when the body gets too hot and cannot cool down properly. It mainly affects the body's temperature regulation system, which controls how heat is lost through sweating and blood flow. When exposed to very high temperatures or intense physical activity in hot weather, the body’s core temperature can rise dangerously. This can cause damage to vital organs like the brain, heart, and kidneys. Symptoms often include a very high fever, confusion, headache, and sometimes loss of consciousness. Because it affects the brain and other organs, heat stroke is a medical emergency. Immediate attention is needed to prevent severe complications or death.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition characterized by a core body temperature exceeding 40°C (104°F) due to failure of the body's thermoregulatory mechanisms. It results from prolonged exposure to environmental heat or strenuous physical exertion in hot conditions, leading to impaired heat dissipation. The core pathology involves thermoregulatory failure, causing hyperthermia and subsequent multiorgan dysfunction, especially affecting the central nervous system. Clinically, it presents with central nervous system dysfunction such as delirium, seizures, or coma, along with anhidrosis or profuse sweating depending on the subtype. The condition can rapidly progress to rhabdomyolysis, coagulopathy, and acute kidney injury. Early recognition and aggressive management are critical to reduce morbidity and mortality.