Heat stroke classification
Heat stroke Microchapters |
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Heat stroke classification On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [2]
Overview
Classification
Heat related problems may be classified based on the temperature and the clinical presentation. The following table summarizes the related terms.
Condition | Definition |
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Heat wave | Three or more consecutive days during which the air temperature is >32.2°C. |
Heat stress | Perceived discomfort and physiological strain associated with exposure to a hot environment, especially during physical work. |
Heat stroke | Severe illness characterized by a core temperature >40°C and central nervous system abnormalities such as delirium, convulsions,
or coma resulting from exposure to environmental heat (classic heat stroke) or strenuous physical exercise (exertional heat stroke). |
Heat exhaustion | Mild-to-moderate illness due to water or salt depletion that results from exposure to high environmental heat or strenuous physical
exercise; signs and symptoms include intense thirst, weakness, discomfort, anxiety, dizziness, fainting, and headache; core temperature may be normal, below normal, or slightly elevated (>37°C but <40°C). |
Hyperthermia | A rise in body temperature above the hypothalamic set point when heat-dissipating mechanisms are impaired (by drugs or disease) or
overwhelmed by external (environmental or induced) or internal (metabolic) heat. |
Multiorgan-dysfunction
syndrome |
Continuum of changes that occur in more than one organ system after an insult such as trauma, sepsis, or heat stroke. |