heatstroke

heatstroke

heatstroke profound disturbance of the heat-regulating mechanism of the body, also known as sunstroke. It is characterized by extremely high body temperatures and sometimes by convulsions and coma. The skin is usually hot and dry because the body-cooling process of sweating has ceased. In some cases, however, the skin may feel relatively cool because blood vessels just below the skin have constricted and the overheated blood is not being carried to the surface; an actively exercising person with heatstroke may be sweating freely. Heatstroke is a rare disorder and is more common among elderly and obese people and those with debilitating diseases. Heatstroke, unlike heat exhaustion , is considered a serious threat to life; treatment must be swift to prevent death or serious brain damage from high body temperature. The body should be cooled as quickly as possible by removing the patient to a cool shady place and applying cold water or ice water to the skin. See first aid .

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"heatstroke." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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heatstroke

heatstroke A dangerously high body temperature (hyperthermia) — above 41°C or 106 °F — which may be accompanied by coma or convulsions, and requires emergency life-saving measures. The body has passed the limit of its heat-losing mechanisms. It may follow from the less serious condition of heat exhaustion due to excessive sweating and dehydration during heat exposure, usually with heavy work or exercise in a hot environment.

Stuart Judge


See heat exposure; sweating.
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COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "heatstroke." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "heatstroke." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-heatstroke.html

COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "heatstroke." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-heatstroke.html

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heatstroke

heat·stroke / ˈhētˌstrōk/ • n. a condition marked by fever and often by unconsciousness, caused by failure of the body's temperature-regulating mechanism when exposed to excessively high temperatures.

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"heatstroke." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"heatstroke." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-heatstroke.html

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heatstroke

heatstroke Condition in which the body temperature rises above 41°C (106°F). It is brought on by exposure to extreme heat. In mild cases there may be lassitude and fainting; in severe cases, collapse, coma and death may ensue.

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"heatstroke." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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heatstroke

heatstroke (sunstroke) (heet-strohk) n. raised body temperature (pyrexia), absence of sweating, and eventual loss of consciousness due to failure or exhaustion of the temperature-regulating mechanism of the body.

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"heatstroke." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"heatstroke." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-heatstroke.html

"heatstroke." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-heatstroke.html

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heatstroke

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"heatstroke." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"heatstroke." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-heatstroke.html

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