FitSugar

When Is a Fever Too High?

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:30:00 -0800

With the nasty flu bug making its rounds, there's only so much eating healthy, getting enough rest, washing your hands, getting a flu shot, and avoiding germs one can do. If you're unlucky enough to get the flu, your body will hike up your body temperature to boil away all those germs. So, is there a point when your temperature can get too high?

When you get the flu, a sudden high fever is totally normal, and it can get as high as 104° F, and last for three to four days. The best thing you can do is to rest and drink plenty of fluids, since a fever can cause you to become dehydrated. Don't attempt to cool off your skin with cold packs since they'll just make you shiver, which will end up raising your body temperature. Instead you should alternate between taking Tylenol and ibuprofen every four hours to help reduce your fever. Alternating these meds will help to prevent accidental overdose, and sometimes the combination of the two will be more effective in bringing down your fever.

Fit's Tips: If your fever persists for more than five days, or it goes over 104° F, call your doctor and get some medical advice immediately.

Source

Body temperature normals

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:50:13 -0700

Illustrations

Temperature measurement

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Alternative Names

Normal body temperature; Temperature - normal

Information

A body temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit is considered normal. A temperature over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit usually means you have an infection or illness.

Body temperature normally changes throughout the day.

Body Knowledge: Cold Hands, Warm Core?

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:00:31 -0700

The cooler temps of late Autumn spark what we call in our house the thermostat wars. Although the preferred temps in my home seem to vary greatly by gender, there is no clear-cut answer which sex tolerates cold better. Studies have found that women have a higher core temperature than men, but colder hands. I can vouch for the cold hands thing - can you? Although a warmer core temp means women are better able to protect their vital organs, all housed in the torso, cold hands mean less blood flow to extremities, creating an increased perception of cold. Then there is the theory that Aunt Ruby affects a woman's perception of cold. The changes in body temperature that accompany the menstrual cycle can affect the way a woman perceives cold temperatures. This theory is still under debate, but might be something to pay attention to when you reach for socks in the middle of the night.

Pearl Izumi Gets Technical

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:30:06 -0700

Pearl Izumi ruffled some feathers with its ad campaign pitting runner against joggers, but regardless they make amazing biking gear. Recently, the company released clothing made with four technical fabrics designed to reduce drag, regulate body temperature, and address the problems of moisture. They sent me a few items to check out, which meant a couple of bike rides and a spin class over the course of a few days - any excuse to hop on my bike.

The fabric used to construct P.R.O. Octane Shorts ($225) feels more luxurious than anything I have ever worn for a workout. These lightweight shorts feel great on as well. The technical fabric used in their construction is designed to keep a rider cool during a hot competition. In the hot spin I took wearing them, they did just that. Honestly, the price of these shorts indicates they are truly made for elite high mileage riders or serious competitors. I hope to wear them soon for a distance ride, but don't think I would ever drop that much dough on shorts.

To read about the other two more affordable items, just read more.

The W's Transfer Short Sleeve Baselayer ($50) worked well on a cold, yet sweaty ride. My core stayed warm and dry as I powered up hills and sped down the descents. It's made with Pearl Izumi trademarked Minerale fabric, a polyester fortified with carbon based minerals to improve wicking and keep the stink out of the shirt. After a three hour, sweaty ride the smelled only a little bit and the small amount of smell washed out easily. A short sleeve base layer for Autumn biking worked well for me. This shirt is seriously lightweight and tailored to fit the female form.

My favorite piece is the P.R.O. Barrier Lite Jacket ($95.00). A solid windbreaker can save you on a cold and blustery ride, and this windbreaker did just that. Should the sun come out and the wind dies down, this jacket packs down small to easily fit in a the back pocket of a biking jersey. I am impressed with how thin the material was yet how much wind protection it offered. This jacket might be pricey, but as long as it is not raining I think I can wear it all year long. I would wear it to run too.

All three items are available at the Pearl Izumi website. Look for them at your local bike shop too.

Gear Review: Ibex Wicking Clothes

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:00:07 -0700

If you're looking for some new wicking gear, then you've got to check out the Balance Seamless Collection made by Ibex. Made from sustainable merino wool and a hint of Spandex, these base layers are soft, stretchy, and flattering. With cooler temperatures heading our way, it is time to think about layering for outdoor exercise.

Pictured on the left is the Balance Sports Top ($59). It has a built-in shelf bra that's great for A through C cup sizes, but only for medium- to low-impact sports. So I wore the Balance Support Bra ($69) underneath for a nice long run. Wearing a bra and top made of wicking material is incredibly comfortable because they pull sweat off your skin and let it breathe; I felt dry and fresh throughout my entire workout. I also love the racerback straps that stayed put on my shoulders. The fabric is seamless, so there weren't any irritating ridges rubbing on my skin. They both fit snugly and contour to your body, keeping everything tight and making you feel supported and strong.

Just when I thought I couldn't be more in love with this bra and top, I looked on the inside and noticed that these words were knitted in the material, "I am sick of four walls and a ceiling. I have a need for the sky. I have business with the grass." Talk about inspiration.

To hear more about the rest of the collection read more.

Check out the pics below to see what other tops and bottoms you can get made of this incredible wicking material. Most of them come in a few different colors so check out the Ibex website for more details. Wicking intimate base layers are a must if you're active because they can prevent rashes, chaffing, and yeast infections. I know these aren't cheap, but isn't your comfort worth it?

View 14 Photos ›

If you want to hear more about fitness gear or share about gear you have, check out the Good Gear/Bad Gear Group.

Fever

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:05:08 -0700

Overview

Definition
Alternative Names
Considerations
Common Causes
Home Care
Call your health care provider if
What to expect at your health care provider's office
References

Illustrations

Thermometer temperature

Temperature measurement

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Normal body temperature varies by person, age, activity, and time of day. The average normal body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C).

Alternative Names

Elevated temperature; Hyperthermia; Pyrexia

Considerations

Normal body temperature varies.

In children younger than 6 months of age, the daily variation is small.
In children 6 months to 2 years old, the daily variation is about 1 degree.
Daily variations gradually increase to 2 degrees per day by age 6.

Body temperature varies less in adults. However, a woman's menstrual cycle can elevate temperature by 1 degree or more.

Your body temperature is usually highest in the evening. It can be raised by physical activity, strong emotion, eating, heavy clothing, medications, high room temperature, and high humidity. This is especially true in children.

A rectal temperature up to 100.4°F (38°C) may be entirely normal. A rectal temperature of 100.5°F or above should always be considered a fever. Lower temperatures might also be a fever, depending on the person.

Fever is not an illness. Far from being an enemy, it is an important part of the body's defense against infection. Many infants and children develop high fevers with minor viral illnesses. While a fever signals to us that a battle might be going on in the body, the fever is fighting for the person, not against.

Most bacteria and viruses that cause infections in people thrive best at 98.6°F. Raising the temperature a few degrees can give your body the winning edge. In addition, a fever activates the body's immune system to make more white blood cells, antibodies, and other infection-fighting agents.

Many parents fear that fevers will cause brain damage. Brain damage from a fever generally will not occur unless the fever is over 107.6°F (42°C). Many parents also fear that untreated fevers will keep going higher and higher. Untreated fevers caused by infection will seldom go over 105°F unless the child is overdressed or trapped in a hot place.

Some parents fear that fevers will cause seizures. For the great majority of children, this is not the case. However, febrile seizures do occur in some children. Once a child is already known to have a high fever, a febrile seizure is unlikely with the current illness. In any event, simple febrile seizures are over in moments with no lasting consequences.

Although infections are the most common causes of higher-than-normal body temperature, fevers have a long list of other causes, including toxins, cancers, and autoimmune diseases.

Heatstroke is a particularly dangerous type of high temperature, because the body is not able to stop the temperature from continuing to rise. It can happen when a child is left in a hot car or when you exercise too strenuously without enough to drink.

Unexplained fevers that continue for days or weeks are called fevers of undetermined origin (FUO).

Common Causes

Acute bronchitis
AIDS and HIV infection
Cancer
Colds or flu-like illnesses
Collagen vascular disease, rheumatoid diseases, and autoimmune disorders
Ear infections
Fever can occur in infants who are overdressed in hot weather or a hot environment
Hodgkin's disease
Infectious mononucleosis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Leukemia
Medications (such as antibiotics, antihistamines, barbiturates, and drugs for high blood pressure)
Neuroblastoma
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Occasionally, more serious problems like pneumonia, appendicitis, tuberculosis, and meningitis
Periarteritis nodosa
Regional enteritis
Sore throats and strep throat
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Ulcerative colitis
Upper respiratory infections (such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis or laryngitis)
Urinary tract infections
Viral and bacterial infections
Viral gastroenteritis or bacterial gastroenteritis

Home Care

If the fever is mild and no other problems are present, no medical treatment is required. Drink fluids and rest. If a child is playful and comfortable, drinking plenty of fluids, and able to sleep, fever treatment is not likely to help.

Take steps to lower a fever if you or your child is uncomfortable, vomiting, dehydrated, or having difficulty sleeping. The goal is to lower, not eliminate, the fever.

When trying to reduce a fever:

DO NOT bundle up someone who has the chills.
Remove excess clothing or blankets. The environment should be comfortably cool. For example, one layer of lightweight clothing, and one lightweight blanket to sleep. If the room is hot or stuffy, a fan may help.
A lukewarm bath or sponge bath may help cool someone with a fever. This is especially effective after medication is given -- otherwise the temperature might bounce right back up.
DO NOT use cold baths or alcohol rubs. These cool the skin, but often make the situation worse by causing shivering, which raises the core body temperature.
Drink cool liquids, as tolerated.

Here are some guidelines for taking medicine:

Acetaminophen and ibuprofen help reduce fever in children and adults.
Take acetaminophen every 4-6 hours. It works by turning down the brain's thermostat. Take ibuprofen every 6-8 hours. Like aspirin, it helps fight inflammation at the source of the fever. Sometimes doctors advise you to use both types of medicine. Ibuprofen is not approved for use in children less than 6 months old.
Aspirin is very effective for treating fever in adults. DO NOT give aspirin to children unless specifically directed by your doctor.
Fever medicines come in different concentrations, so always check the instructions on the package.
Don't use any medicine to reduce fever in children under 3 months of age without first contacting a health care provider.

If someone has heat exhaustion or heat stroke, remove the person from the warm area. Sponge the person with tepid water. Place ice packs in the armpits, behind the neck, and in the groin. Give fluids if the person is alert. Seek medical attention. If heat illness is causing the fever, medicines may not lower the body temperature and may even be harmful.

Call your health care provider if

Call a doctor right away if:

A baby less than 90 days old has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
A baby 3 to 12 months old has a fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher.
A child under age 2 years has a fever that lasts longer than 24 to 48 hours.
A fever lasts longer than 48 to 72 hours in older children and adults.
Anyone has a fever over 105°F (40.5°C), unless it comes down readily with treatment and the person is comfortable.
There are other worrisome symptoms. For example, irritability, confusion, difficulty breathing, stiff neck, inability to move an arm or leg, or first-time seizure.
There are other symptoms that suggest an illness may need to be treated, such as a sore throat, earache, or cough.
You think you may have incorrectly dosed acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your doctor will perform a physical examination, which may include a detailed examination of the skin, eyes, ears, nose, throat, neck, chest, and abdomen to look for the cause of the fever. Your doctor may ask questions such as:

How long has the fever lasted?
Is it increasing? Is it increasing rapidly?
Has the fever gone away?
How many days did it take for the fever to go away?
Do you have alternating chills and fever?
How frequently does it alternate (days, hours)?
Did it occur within four to six hours after exposure to something that you might be allergic to?
Does the fever follow an up-and-down pattern (is it high, then lower, then high)?
Did it develop suddenly?
Does the temperature go up and down suddenly (spike) or does it change slowly?
Does it go away and then come back again daily?

Treatment depends on the duration and cause of the fever, and on other accompanying symptoms.

The following diagnostic tests may be performed:

Blood studies, such as a CBC or blood differential
Urinalysis
X-ray of the chest

References

American College of Emergency Physicians Clinical Policies Subcommittee on Pediatric Fever. Clinical policy for children younger than three years presenting to the emergency department with fever. Ann Emerg Med. 2003; 42(4): 530-545.

Roth J. Molecular aspects of fever and hyperthermia. Neurol Clin. 2006; 24(3): 421-39, v.

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.

Behrman RE. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 17th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004: 839-841.

This article uses information by permission from Alan Greene, M.D., © Greene Ink, Inc.

Review Date: 2/27/2008

Reviewed By: Rachel A. Lewis, MD, FAAP, Columbia Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_003090

Label Able: Palm Stearin

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:00:57 -0700

At the grocery store to pick up some soy nut butter for a batch of Soy Nut Butter Muddy Buddies I was planning on making, I saw a new kind made by Simple Food. Checking out the label I noticed an ingredient I've never heard of - organic palm stearin.

If you're curious to know whether it's healthy or not read more.

When palm oil is extracted from the fruit of the palm tree and then refined, it can be further refined into two forms - palm olein (liquid) and palm stearin (solid). This ingredient has a neutral taste, and contains a balance of polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and saturated fatty acids. Palm stearin also contains linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid our bodies don't produce, and tocopherols, which are natural antioxidants. This fat is cholesterol free, and may even lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Palm stearin shouldn't be confused with palm kernel oil, which is made from the seeds of the palm fruit and is high in saturated (unhealthy) fats.

Since palm stearin is solid at room temperature, it's often used instead of butter in breads and cakes, and can be found in nonhydrogenated margarine. It's also used to prevent nut butters from separating, as in this soy nut butter. Well that's a relief. Now I can enjoy my Muddy Buddies even more!

Trying To Conceive - Timing And Fertility

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:34:52 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Ovulation Video

Identifying Your Fertile Days

Many couples spend so much time preventing an unplanned pregnancy that they assume that when they are ready for a family all they have to do is stop using birth control. Getting pregnant is not always that fast -- it can take up to a year or longer -- nor is it automatic.

To get pregnant, healthy sperm need to meet an egg in the fallopian tube. When an egg is ready to be fertilized, the ovary releases it into the tube. This is called ovulation, and it usually happens about 2 weeks before a woman expects to get her next period. For a woman with 28 days from one period to the next, this is about 14 days after the first day of her previous period. Women with longer or shorter cycles can calculate their ovulation day by subtracting 14 days from the length of their cycle. For example, a woman with a 21-day cycle ovulates on day 7,and a woman with a 35-day cycle ovulates on day 21.

For the best chance of getting pregnant, plan intercourse in the week around ovulation day. It’s recommended to have intercourse every other day, starting five days before expected ovulation and ending 2 days afterwards. If you have irregular cycles and are not sure when you ovulate, you can buy an ovulation predictor kit. These test LH, the hormone of ovulation, in the urine and are very accurate.

If you are willing to take some extra steps, you can also monitor two body functions to pinpoint your most fertile times, maximizing your chances of getting pregnant. These methods are less expensive than ovulation predictor kits, but they require more effort.

The changes in the consistency of your cervical fluid and your body temperature are two indicators of fertility. This article explains how to monitor your cervical fluid and temperature, identify the changes, and learn what they mean.

Evaluating Your Cervical Fluid

Cervical fluid protects the sperm and helps them move through the cervix toward the uterus and fallopian tubes. Like everything else involved with the menstrual cycle, cervical fluid changes in preparation for ovulation. You will notice obvious differences in how it looks and feels over the course of the cycle.

At the beginning of your cycle, you probably will not notice any cervical fluid at all. Then it may become sticky or gummy, and then creamy and white. Finally, as ovulation approaches, it becomes more clear and stretchy, almost like egg white. This stretchy, egg-white fluid signals that you are about to ovulate.

Cervical fluid can usually be felt inside the lower end of the vagina, especially on fertile days. Rub your fingers together to evaluate the consistency of the fluid and see how it matches up with the descriptions below:

Menstrual period occurring (no cervical fluid is present)
Vagina is dry (no cervical fluid is present)
Sticky/rubbery fluid
Wet/creamy/white fluid - Fertile
Slippery/stretchy/clear "egg white" fluid - Very Fertile
Dry (no cervical fluid)

The cervical fluid will be slippery and stretchy on your most fertile days.

Taking Your Basal Temperature

Your body temperature shifts subtly during your menstrual cycle, rising after your ovulate. If you check your temperature each day, you can track when ovulation has occurred. Basal body temperatures are a simple way to keep track of your cycle, but they are limited, because you don’t know that you have ovulated until after the fact – and then, it’s too late to plan to have intercourse in order to get pregnant.

If you want to try tracking your cycles, take your temperature first thing in the morning before you get out of bed. Try not to move too much, as activity can raise your body temperature slightly. Use a glass basal thermometer or a digital thermometer so that you can get accuracy to the tenth of a degree. Keep the thermometer in your mouth for five minutes. If your temperature is between two marks, record the lower number.

Try to take your temperature at the same time every day if possible. Shake the thermometer down when you are done so that you do not have to shake it in the morning and thus risk raising your temperature from the movement.

After you ovulate, your body temperature will rise and stay elevated for the rest of your cycle. If you don’t get pregnant, it will fall at the end of your cycle, and you will get your period. Create a chart and write down your temperature everyday. From one day to the next, your temperature will zigzag a little. These small temperature changes will seem random at first - ignore them.

Also, ignore the occasional "fluke" temperature that is obviously way out of alignment with the others -- this can happen for any number reasons (like stress) and not important to finding pattern. If you look at a complete cycle, you will probably notice a point at which the temperatures become higher than they were in first part your cycle. More specifically, the rise is when your temperature increases 0.2 degrees above the previous six days. That temperature jump occurs just after ovulation.

The limitation with monitoring your temperature is that by the time you are certain that you have ovulated, it is usually too late! You can still try to get pregnant the morning your temperature rises, but chances are slimmer. The egg is probably gone by that point.

Nevertheless, temperature tracking can be helpful. After several cycles, you may be able to see a predictable pattern and get a sense for your most fertile days. The rise also lets you know when you are less likely to become pregnant if you have intercourse. And lastly, temperature is a good indicator of whether you are pregnant. If your temperature does not go down at the end of your cycle, you probably succeeded!

Review Date:
2/24/2007
Reviewed By:
Douglas A. Levine, MD, Gynecology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Pregnancy Center Links

Temperature measurement

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:09:49 -0700

Overview

Definition
How the test is performed
How to prepare for the test
How the test will feel
Why the test is performed
Normal Values
What abnormal results mean
What the risks are

Illustrations

Temperature measurement

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Temperature measurement is a method to take a person's temperature and determine whether it is within a normal range. A high temperature is a fever.

How the test is performed

In the past, a glass thermometer filled with mercury was used to measure body temperature. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommends against using mercury thermometers because the glass can break, and mercury is poisonous.

Electronic thermometers are most commonly used and recommended. The temperature is displayed on a digital readout. Follow the directions that come with the thermometer. Electronic probe thermometers can be placed in the mouth, rectum, or armpit. Electronic ear thermometers are common and convenient, but some users report that the results are less consistent than probe thermometers.

Plastic strip thermometers change color to indicate the temperature. This method is the least accurate. Place the strip on the forehead and read it after 1 minute. Read it while the strip is in place. Plastic strip thermometers for the mouth are also available.

Always clean the thermometer before using. You can use cool, soapy water or rubbing alcohol. If you are using a glass thermometer, grip the end opposite the bulb and shake the thermometer downwards until it reads 95°F or less.

You can measure the temperature on three body locations:

Mouth -- place the thermometer under the tongue and close the mouth. Breathe through the nose, and use the lips to hold the thermometer tightly in place. Leave the thermometer in the mouth for 3 minutes or until the device beeps.
Rectum -- this method is for infants and small children who are not able to hold a thermometer safely in their mouths. Place petroleum jelly on the bulb of a rectal thermometer. Place the small child face down on a flat surface or lap. Spread the buttocks and insert the bulb end of the thermometer about 1/2 to 1 inch into the anal canal. Be careful not to insert the thermometer too far. Prevent the child from struggling, since this can accidentally push the thermometer in further. Remove the thermometer after 3 minutes or when the device beeps.
Armpit -- place the thermometer in the armpit, with the arm pressed against the body for 5 minutes before reading. This is the least accurate method for using a glass thermometer.

Digital thermometers have easy-to-read displays. To read a glass thermometer, gripping the end opposite the bulb so that the numbers are facing you. Roll the thermometer back and forth between your fingers until you see a silver or red reflection in the column. Compare the end of the column with the degree marking in the lines on the thermometer.

How to prepare for the test

Wait at least 1 hour after vigorous exercise or a hot bath before measuring body temperature. Wait for 20 to 30 minutes after smoking, eating, or drinking a hot or cold liquid.

How the test will feel

There is very little discomfort.

Why the test is performed

The measurement of body temperature determines whether a person has a fever. It may be helpful in monitoring to see if a person is ill or whether a treatment is working -- especially in antibiotic treatment of infections.

Normal Values

The normal temperature varies by person, age, time of day, and where on the body the temperature was taken. The average normal body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C).

Your body temperature is usually highest in the evening. It can be raised by physical activity, strong emotion, eating, heavy clothing, medications, high room temperature, and high humidity.

Daily variations change as children get older:

In children younger than 6 months of age, the daily variation is small.
In children 6 months to 2 years old, the daily variation is about 1 degree.
By age 6, daily variations gradually increase to 2 degrees per day.
Body temperature varies less in adults. However, a woman's menstrual cycle can raise temperature by one degree or more.

For information on when to call a doctor due to specific temperatures and ages, see the article on fever.

What abnormal results mean

If the reading on the thermometer is more than 1 to 1.5 degrees above the patient's normal temperature, the patient has a fever. Most fevers are a sign of infection and occur with other symptoms. Abnormally high or low temperatures can be serious, and you should consult a health care provider.

What the risks are

There is essentially no risk. There is a rare risk of bowel perforation if the rectal thermometer is not carefully inserted.

Review Date: 10/17/2006

Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_003400

Heat exhaustion

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:35:26 -0700

Overview

Signs and Symptoms
What Causes It?
Who's Most At Risk?
What to Expect at Your Provider's Office
Treatment Options
Prognosis/Possible Complications
Following Up
Supporting Research

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Heat exhaustion occurs when your body gets too hot. The body's core temperature is controlled by the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that also controls thirst and hunger. Normally, the body gets rid of excess heat by sweating. But if you are exposed to high temperatures (working outdoors in the summer, for example) for a long time and don't replace the fluids you lose, the body systems that regulate temperature become overwhelmed. As a result, your body produces more heat than it can dissipate. Heat exhaustion requires immediate attention, because it can progress to heat stroke, a serious (even fatal) illness.

Signs and Symptoms

Heat exhaustion is accompanied by the following signs and symptoms:

Heavy sweating
Fatigue
Headache
Pale, clammy skin
Thirst
Rapid heartbeat
Dizziness, fainting
Nausea, vomiting
Muscle cramps

If body temperature goes above 104°F, or if coma or seizure occurs, the patient likely has a more serious condition called heat stroke. Heat stroke can quickly lead to heart attack and death if not treated.

What Causes It?

Heat exhaustion occurs most often when you are exposed to high temperatures and become dehydrated, usually from not drinking enough fluids. It also can happen when large volumes of sweat are replaced with fluids that don't contain enough salt.

Who's Most At Risk?

The following factors increase the risk of developing heat exhaustion:

Being dehydrated
Age (the elderly and children under 5 years of age)
Illness or chronic disability
Obesity
Pregnancy
Cardiovascular disease
Respiratory disease
Drinking alcohol
Physical exertion in hot or humid environments (athletes, military personnel, outdoor laborers are particularly at risk)
Taking medications that interfere with the body's ability to cool itself, including antipsychotics, tranquilizers, antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, and some over-the-counter sleeping pills

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

If you have symptoms of heat exhaustion, you should see a doctor immediately. The doctor will perform a physical examination; check your blood pressure, pulse, and temperature; and assess how dehydrated you are. Lab tests of blood and urine samples may be needed.

Treatment Options

Prevention

If you are working or exercising in the heat, don't wait until you get thirsty to drink fluids. Instead, drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after the activity. Take the following precautions to prevent heat exhaustion:

Stay in cool or air-conditioned spaces when possible on hot days.
Drink more fluids than usual. Drinking enough fluids during exercise, for example, helps to improve heart function, maintain kidney function, and lower the body's core temperature. Dehydration can stress the heart and reduce the kidneys' ability to maintain the correct balance of electrolytes (charged elements -- such as potassium, sodium, phosphorous and chloride -- essential for the normal function of every cell in the body).
Check on those vulnerable to heat exhaustion (the elderly, for example).
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugar, which can cause dehydration. Drink water or sports drinks sweetened with natural juices.
Exercise or work outdoors during cooler times of day.
Take cool baths.
Wear loose, lightweight clothing.
Long-term prevention of heat exhaustion includes regular, doctor-approved exercise. Those who exercise regularly over time, allowing their bodies to adjust to hot conditions, may better tolerate exercise on hot days.

Treatment Plan

The primary treatment for heat exhaustion is to rest in a cool environment (a shady spot or, better, an air-conditioned room) and to drink cool (not icy) fluids. Water is usually enough to reverse dehydration, or you can drink a sports drink that contains electrolytes. You can also cool down by spraying yourself with water and fanning.

Health care providers may recommend saline electrolyte solutions, administered orally for mild dehydration and intravenously in more severe cases.

Drug Therapies

Oral or intravenous saline electrolyte solution may be used.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Nutrition and Supplements

Health care providers may recommend drinking fluids that contain electrolytes (see Prevention section for more details). Endurance athletes may want to take mineral supplements including:

Calcium
Magnesium
Potassium

Foods high in these nutrients include dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, whole grains, sea vegetables, blackstrap molasses, and bananas.

Herbs

The most important treatment for heat exhaustion is replacing lost fluids by drinking water or a sports drink. Some herbs may help reduce body temperature, but if you have symptoms of heat exhaustion you should talk to your health care provider before taking anything. Although no studies have examined using herbs to treat heat exhaustion specifically, herbs traditionally used to reduce fever or lower body temperature include:

Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) -- used in traditional Chinese medicine to reduce temperature by dilating blood vessels near the surface of the skin, which helps the body get rid of heat
Elder flower (Sambucusnigra) -- used to treat fever, sometimes combined with peppermint leaf (Mentha x piperita)
Willow bark (Salix spp.) --used to treat fever. Do not take willow bark if you are allergic to aspirin, and do not give it to children under 16 because of risk of developing Reyes syndrome, a serious illness.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) -- used to treat fever
Cayenne pepper (Capsicum spp.) --contains capsaicin, which may lower body temperature by stimulating sweat glands

Homeopathy

Although very few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic therapies, professional homeopaths may consider the following remedies for the treatment of fevers based on their knowledge and experience. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type -- your physical, emotional, and psychological makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate treatment for each individual.

Belladonna --often used for fever, particularly if flushed with bright red skin and dulled mentation. The person for whom this treatment is appropriate does not usually feel thirsty even though his or her mouth and skin are dry
Glonoinum -- used for fever if the person is flushed and sweaty. The person for whom this is appropriate may complain of a hot face but cold extremities, as well as irritability, headache, and confusion. It is often used for ailments brought on by overexposure to the sun.

Prognosis/Possible Complications

If you avoid heat stroke, recovering from heat exhaustion usually takes 24 - 48 hours. Depending on the severity of heat exhaustion, you may be hospitalized so your fluid and electrolyte levels can be monitored to avoid complications.

Following Up

Your health care provider will want to check the fluid levels in your body to see if electrolyte replacement should be continued.

Supporting Research

Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, Mass: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000:103-105; 419-423.

Cecil RI, Plum F, Bennett JC, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 20th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: W.B. Saunders; 1996.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heat-related illnesses and deaths -- Missouri, 1998, and United States, 1997–1996. JAMA. 1999;282(3):227-228.

Dambro MR, ed. Griffith's 5 Minute Clinical Consult. Baltimore, Md: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1999.

Dib B. Effects of intrathecal capsaicin on autonomic and behavioral heat loss responses in the rat. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1987;28(1):65-70.

Duthie EH, Katz PR, Kersey R, eds. Practice of Geriatrics. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: W.B. Saunders; 1998.

Eichner ER. Treatment of suspected heat illness. Int J Sports Med. 1998;19(suppl 2):S150-S153.

Fauci AS, Braunwald E, Isselbacher KJ, et al, eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 14th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Book Co; 1998.

Fishbane S. Exercise-induced renal and electrolyte changes. Phys Sportsmedicine. 1995;23(:39-40, 42-46.

Furman JA, Assell C. Acute, exercise-induced compartment syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, and renal failure-a case report. Nutr Clin Pract. 1999;14(6):296-298.

Glazer JL. Management of heatstroke and heat exhaustion. Am Fam Physician. 2005 Jun 1;71(11):2133-40.

Lin MT, Ho ML, Chandra A, Hsu HK. Serotoninergic mechanisms of the hypothermia induced by Clerodenron fragrans (Ventenaceae) in the rat. Am J Chin Med. 1981;9(2):144-154.

McCormick CC, Garlich JD. The interaction of phosphorus nutrition and fasting on the survival time of young chickens acutely exposed to high temperature. Poult Sci. 1982;61(2):331-336.

Rakel RE, ed. Conn's Current Therapy. 51st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: W.B. Saunders Co; 1999.

Rosen P, Barkin R, eds. Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Management. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby-Year Book; 1998.

Semenza JC, McCullough JE, Flanders WD, McGeehin MA, Lumpkin JR. Excess hospital admissions during the July 1995 heat wave in Chicago. Am J Prev Med. 1999;16(4):269-277.

Simon HB. Hyperthermia. N Engl J Med. 1993;329(7):483-487.

Von Duvillard SP, Braun WA, Markofski M, Beneke R, Leithauser R. Fluids and hydration in prolonged endurance performance. Nutrition. 2004 Jul-Aug;20(7-8):651-6.

Review Date:
12/10/2006
Reviewed By:
Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D., private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

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