[Heat stroke. Standarized treatment plan].
Heat stroke, or sun stroke, is defined as an emergency situation characterized by an increase in central body temperature above 40 degrees C and alterations in the central nervous system where encephalopathy predominates and coma is typical. A precocious diagnosis is essential and if the initial opportune measures are not taken, the death rate is very high, up to 70%. Due to climate changes, the number of heat stroke cases has increased since the 2003 heat wave. Although at first symptoms these cases are treated in hospital emergency wards or outpatient wards, when the severity of a person stricken by heat stroke becomes life-threatening or advanced medical care is warranted, patients are placed in Intensive Medical Care Wards. Even though cases of heat stroke are low, its lethalness converts it to a serious life-threatening circumstance due to thermal regulation deterioration, adverse neurological effects, and secondary multi-organ dysfunction.
García-Velasco Sánchez-Morago
Santiago
S
Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha. santgarc@telefonica.net
Monzón Ferrer
Adrián
A
D018883:Heat Stroke / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans