Heat syncope

From ArticleWorld

Heat syncope is a stage in a process that is similar in symptoms to a heat stroke. In fact, heat syncope appears in the same circumstances, and some medical authorities do not even distinguish it from a heat stroke.

A heat syncope appears when the body is exposed to high temperature or when the patient has extreme fever, associated with dehydration.

Symptoms and signs

The basic sign that suggests a heat stroke is a very high body temperature (over 40 degrees Celsius or 104 degrees Fahrenheit). Fainting and weakness are often present, but the typical mental confusion appearing in the case of a heat stroke is not present. These symptoms occur because blood pressure is decreasing seriously because of dehydration. Capillary blood vessels are dilated in order to radiate heat. When water evaporates from blood, the viscosity and volume of blood are reduced, considerably decreasing the speed with which it moves. The flow of oxygen towards organs (including the brain) is therefore disturbed, causing fainting and numbness.

Heat syncope is therefore dangerous for persons who normally have a very low or very high blood pressure, and also to patients with cardiac dysfunction. While by itself it is not extremely harmful, associated with other physical problems it can be lethal and should be treated as a medical emergency.

First aid and treatment

First aid and treatment of heat syncope is similar to that in cases of fainting. The affected person should be placed in a supine position with legs raised in order to allow increasing blood pressure. Water should be administrated, but not coffee or alcohol. Oral dehydration salts should also be administered if available, and, if possible, the patient should be moved to a cooler place, or at least have a flow of cool air directed towards him.

Under no circumstance should the patient be encouraged to make any effort that forces the heart to beat faster. Heat syncope is a decrease of blood volume and pressure, and effort should be avoided in order to prevent an even more severe oxygen starvation of the organism.