Hot body temperature due to hyperthermia can cause severe dehydration

Hot body temperature synonymous with fever symptoms. However, a sudden and unnatural increase in body temperature can be caused by hyperthermia. Hypertemia must be watched out for, especially for people who live in countries with hot climates, such as Indonesia. Hyperthermia is a condition that can be fatal if not treated quickly.

Hyperthermia is an abnormally hot body temperature

Hyperthermia is not your usual heat or heat. Hyperthermia is a condition where your core body temperature rises sharply and occurs suddenly in a short time, but your body is unable or does not have enough time to sweat to cool off.

Hot body temperature due to hyperthermia usually occurs due to exposure to hot temperatures from the surrounding environment outside the body's tolerance limits, for example when the weather is unusually hot. Hyperthermia can also be triggered by fatigue due to strenuous physical activity, which raises your core body temperature, such as exercising during the day for a long time.

Hyperthermia is susceptible to people who work in hot temperatures, such as fishermen, farmers, firefighters, welding workers, factory workers, or even construction workers.

Taking certain drugs is also prone to causing you to get heatstroke. For example, heart drugs and diuretic drugs. These two drugs can reduce the body's ability to cool itself through sweating. People who have hypertension and are on a low-salt diet are also at risk of developing hyperthermia.

Hypertemia signs and symptoms

Hyperthermia is often accompanied by symptoms of dehydration. In general, here are some common symptoms that can arise when you have hypertemia:

Dizzy
Tired
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
Thirsty
Headache
Confusion (difficulty focusing / difficulty concentrating)
Dark urine (a sign of dehydration)
Leg, arm, or abdominal muscle cramps
Pale skin color
Excessive sweating
Fast heart rate
Rash, red bumps on the skin
Swollen hands, calves, or ankles (edema symptom)
Fainting

These extreme hot body temperature conditions should not be ignored. If not treated properly, hyperthermia can develop into heat stroke, which can damage the brain and other vital organs. Heat stroke can even cause death.

How to treat hyperthermia?

If you or those around you experience symptoms of hyperthermia, it is important to get out of the hot area immediately and rest in an air-conditioned room or in a cool and shaded place.

Afterwards, drink lots of fluids to restore electrolyte levels in the body, but avoid caffeine and alcohol. Remove tight clothing and change to thin clothing that absorbs sweat well, for example, cotton.

Perform cooling measures such as adjusting the fan or compressing a cold towel to pulse points, such as on the neck, under the armpits, and deep elbows. It's okay to take a cold shower.

If the procedure fails within 15 minutes or the temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius, seek emergency medical help. This condition is prone to progressing to heat stroke.

After you recover from hyperthermia, you will likely be more sensitive to high temperatures over the next several weeks. So you should avoid too long physical activity when the weather is hot and skip exercise until the doctor gives the green light for you to resume normal activities.

How to prevent the condition so that hyperthermia does not occur?

The first step in preventing hyperthermia is recognizing the risks and symptoms. This can happen if you work or are often in hot situations and conditions. It's good to take the following precautions:

If you are often in a hot environment, rest in a cool or air-conditioned place
Don't overheat outside when you don't need it. Protect yourself from heat better than developing hyperthermia
Stay hydrated as much as possible. Drinking water or a drink containing electrolytes every 15 to 20 minutes can help prevent you from becoming dehydrated.
Wear clothes that absorb sweat when it is outside or in hot weather. Wear a hat to block the hot sun from hitting your face.