The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Hyperthermia is a condition in which internal body temperatures rise to dangerous and even lethal levels. These temperatures can reach anywhere between 104 and 115°F (40 and 46 °C). Hyperthermia affects many people during hot summer seasons. It is also a condition that occurs during some surgeries. In these rare cases the patient has an unpredictable reaction to surgical anesthesia, one of the symptoms being a rapid rise in body temperature. If not cared for immediately, patients who suffer hyperthermia, may be unaware of the symptoms and allow themselves to attain dangerous heat levels.
There are two levels or types of hyperthermia. One is heat exhaustion and is the less severe type of this condition. Symptoms are increasing fatigue or weakness. A state of anxiety is experienced. The patient experiences extreme levels of perspiration that drench clothing. The blood pressure is low (thready). This condition may lead to the collapse of the circulatory system. When this situation occurs, the patient is in danger. Additional symptoms are cold, pale and clammy skin. Disorientation may occur which may eventually lead to a shock-like unconsciousness.
The more serious form of hyperthermia is heatstroke (also called sunstroke). When this condition occurs, treatment must be administered immediately. The onset may be sudden and severe, but there are early warning signs. The patient may experience a headache, dizziness, and a general weakness. Perspiration or sweating usually decreases and the skin is hot and dry. The entire body appears flushed. The urine may become dark yellow or orange. The pulse rate increases rapidly and may reach 160 beats per minute. Unlike heat exhaustion, the blood pressure is not affected. A brief period of disorientation precedes unconsciousness or convulsions. Circulatory collapse is a dangerous condition that comes just before death. Some patients who survive heatstroke may have permanent brain damage.
Some other causes of hyperthermia may be over exercising in a hot climate, overeating, overdressing, or consumption of too much alcohol. In dry climates, many people do not realize their body temperatures are rising because of the lack of obvious perspiration. Constant rehydration by water or special fluids is highly recommended as a prevention measure. This helps the body's cooling mechanisms to work more efficiently and under greater stress. Fluids help maintain vital blood pressure levels.