Ailments and Situations - Heat Stroke - Causes and What to Expect

 

Causes:

Heatstroke is caused by extended and extreme exposure to heat where the dehydrated body cannot produce enough sweat to lower body temperature.

Cystic fibrosis and scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) decrease the ability to sweat, creating a greater risk of developing heatstroke.

 
What to Expect:

Heatstroke develops rapidly and is an emergency situation, requiring immediate assistance. See Acute Care, below. At 104ºF to 106ºF, the high internal body temperature is very serious. A temperature of 107ºF -- just one degree higher -- is often fatal. This condition can quickly cause permanent damage to internal organs, particularly the brain, often resulting in death.

People dealing with alcoholism or a debilitating disease often fare the worst from heatstroke.

Once recovery has occurred, body temperature will fluctuate abnormally for several weeks.