Indications for cooling include any signs of heat-related illness in the presence ofan elevated body temperature. Previously, heat-related illness has been defined as core body temperature greater than 40C (Wasserman, DD. 2020). Cooling treatment of hyperthermia consisting of measures which will rapidly lower core body temperature. However, care must be taken to avoid causing vasoconstriction or shivering. Vasoconstrictionwill impede heat loss and shivering will create heat.
Once heat stroke has developed, the prognosis is poor, particularly with advanced age. The treatment goal is to reduce tissue damage by lowering the temperature of vital structures such as the brain, heart and liver. Tissue damage ensues when core temperaturereaches 109F (43C). Cooling treatments can be internal or external.
Internal cooling techniques such as ice water gastric or rectal lavage, extracorporeal blood cooling, and peritoneal or thoracic lavage are effective but they are also difficult to manage and associated with complications.
External cooling techniques are usually easier to implement, well tolerated and effective.
- Conductive cooling techniques include direct application of sources such as hypothermic blanket, ice bath, or ice packs to neck, axillae and groin
- Convective techniques include removal of clothing and use of fans and air conditioning.
- Evaporative cooling can be accelerated by removing clothing and using a fan in conjunction with misting the skin with tepid water or applying a single layer wet sheet to bare skin.
Hyperthermia is a condition that is much better prevented than treated in an elderly person. Elderly patients should be cautioned about the dangers of hot weather. For those elders at very high risk, such as those living alone without air conditioning or ventilation, temporary relocation to a more protected environment such as a shelter or community center should be implemented. Nurses can suggest several specific strategies that can help elderly people avoid hyperthermia during heat waves.
These strategies include:
- Drink 2 to 3 quarts of water daily.
- Avoid exertion or exercise, especially during the hottest part of the day.
- If traveling, allow 2 to 3 weeks in an unusually hot climate before attempting any type of exertion.
- When outside, wear a hat and loose clothing; when indoors, remove as much clothing as needed to be comfortable.
- Take a tepid bath or shower.
- Use cold wet towels or dampen clothing with tepid water when the heat is extreme.
- Avoid hot, heavy meals.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Determine if the person is taking any medications that increase hyperthermia risk; if so, consult with the patient's physician.
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In a severe and prolonged heat wave, elderly people who live alone without air conditioning or appropriate ventilation may require assistance to temporarily relocate to safer quarters.
References
Wasserman DD, Creech JA, Healy M. Cooling Techniques For Hyperthermia. [Updated 2020 Aug 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459311/
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FAQs
The definitive treatment for heat-related illness is total body cooling. Conduction and evaporation are the two modes of cooling employed in the treatment of heat-related illnesses. Studies have shown ice-water immersion to be the most rapidly effective.
What is hyperthermia and how can you prevent it? ›
Signs that your body temperature is too high include a rapid heart rate, confusion, and dry and hot skin. Prevent hyperthermia by drinking plenty of fluids and staying in air-conditioned spaces when it's hot outside. You can usually treat hyperthermia at home with cool compresses and fluids.
Which of the following is the best way to prevent hyperthermia? ›
How can I prevent hyperthermia?
- Avoid strenuous physical activity in hot, humid conditions.
- Consume sports drinks, lightly salted water or broth.
- Never leave children (or pets) in closed, hot spaces such as cars.
- Stay in air-conditioned or well-ventilated areas during heat waves.
2020). Cooling treatment of hyperthermia consisting of measures which will rapidly lower core body temperature. However, care must be taken to avoid causing vasoconstriction or shivering. Vasoconstriction will impede heat loss and shivering will create heat.
What is the recommended treatment for hypothermia? ›
Replace wet things with warm, dry coats or blankets. If further warming is needed, do so gradually and focus on the center of the body. For example, apply warm, dry compresses to the neck, chest and groin. The CDC says that another option is using an electric blanket, if available.
What is the first aid treatment for hyperthermia? ›
Treatment
- Put the person in a cool tub of water or a cool shower.
- Spray the person with a garden hose.
- Sponge the person with cool water.
- Fan the person while misting with cool water.
- Place ice packs or cool, wet towels on the neck, armpits and groin.
- Cover the person with cool, damp sheets.
Treatment
- Be gentle. When helping someone with hypothermia, handle them gently. ...
- Move the person out of the cold. ...
- Remove wet clothing. ...
- Cover the person with blankets. ...
- Insulate the person's body from the cold ground. ...
- Monitor breathing. ...
- Supply warm beverages. ...
- Use warm, dry compresses.
What You Can Do to Prevent Hypothermia
- Dress in layers.
- Wear a warm hat – 30% of heat loss is through the head.
- Wear a scarf and gloves.
- Infants should be in a room in which the temperature is 61-68 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Drink plenty of fluids and warm/hot drinks.
External hyperthermia is used to treat tumors that are on or just below the skin. For this type of hyperthermia, doctors place devices that create heat around or near the treatment area. Intraluminal or endocavitary hyperthermia is used to treat tumors within or near body cavities, such as the esophagus or rectum.
What are the interventions for hyperthermia? ›
Nursing Interventions for Hyperthermia. Remove thick clothing and blankets and adjust the thermostat in the room. External factors such as room temperature, extra clothing, and blankets affect the patient's body temperature. Provide a tepid sponge bath.
Tips to reduce body temperature
- Drink cool liquids. ...
- Go somewhere with cooler air. ...
- Get in cool water. ...
- Apply cold to key points on the body. ...
- Move less. ...
- Wear lighter, more breathable clothing. ...
- Take heat regulating supplements. ...
- Talk to a doctor about thyroid health.
In order to decrease perioperative hypothermia patient should be actively pre warmed 20–30 min before surgery and the operation room ambient temperature should be at least 21 °C, transfusions rates greater than 500 mL/h should be warmed first and intraoperative irrigation fluids should be prewarmed to 38–40 °C [11].
What is the safest thing to do for someone suspected of having hyperthermia? ›
Get the person out of the heat and into a shady, air-conditioned or other cool place. Urge them to lie down. If you suspect heat stroke, call 911. Encourage the individual to shower, bathe or sponge off with cool water.
How long does it take to treat hyperthermia? ›
It is standard for a person with heat stroke to stay in the hospital for one or more days so that any complications can be identified quickly. Complete recovery from heat stroke and its effects on body organs may take two months to a year.
What action may be done to relieve the conditions of hyperthermia? ›
Try to get to a cool location, preferably one with air conditioning. Drink water or electrolyte-filled sports drinks. Take a cool bath or shower to help speed up your recovery. Place ice bags under your arms and around your groin area.
What interventions are recommended for patient with hyperthermia? ›
Nursing Interventions
- Implement surface cooling measures. Cooling blankets can be applied to decrease body temperature. ...
- Administer antipyretics. ...
- Cool the environment. ...
- Implement seizure precautions. ...
- Rehydrate. ...
- Teach about preventing heat exhaustion & heat stroke. ...
- Promptly treat malignant hyperthermia. ...
- Treat shivering.
Immediate treatment of malignant hyperthermia includes: Medication. A drug called dantrolene (Dantrium, Revonto, Ryanodex) is used to treat the reaction by stopping the release of calcium into muscles.
What is medical hyperthermia treatment? ›
Hyperthermia (HT) is a type of cancer treatment along with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and gene and immunotherapy. In oncology, HT uses an external heat source to increase tissue temperature and kill cancer cells or impede their further growth.
What is the first line treatment for hypothermia? ›
The treatment of choice for mild hypothermia is passive external rewarming at a rate of 0.5 to 2 °C per hour. After removing wet clothing, additional insulating layers are placed on the patient's body to prevent heat loss and promote heat retention.
