In times of danger or disease, our body sends us many different signals that allow us to orientate ourselves in the situation we are in. One such sign of a problem in the body is an elevated temperature. Of course, we are not always dealing with a crisis, and sometimes the body’s own reaction is exaggerated. There can be many reasons for an elevated temperature, both external and internal.
Maybe we are just too warm because we dressed too thick? Maybe the room we are in is stuffy? Or is inflammation developing somewhere in us right now? In general, our body is able to adapt properly and regulate everything that needs to be done. But what to do when this function fails? Why is this happening and when should I see a doctor?
Hyperthermia – definition
We deal with a pathological type of elevated temperature when the jump between the compartments is large, or when everything indicates that our body will not be able to cool down on its own. Although there is no single correct value for human body temperature, the standard range is between 36,3 and 37,4 degrees C. Of course, a lot depends on the gender, measurement location, or level of physical activity of a person. However, when we exceed these values by a good few degrees, we deal with the phenomenon of hypothermia. It differs from fever mainly in that when it occurs, the patient does not feel cold, but just a uniform wave of heat. There is also a feeling of weakness, headaches and dizziness, nausea, nausea and even vomiting. Our coordination, the ability to see and receive stimuli from the outside world is disturbed. Hypothermia can lead to damage in the brain, and even in the case of prolonged operation and left without the help of a specialist – to death.
Malignant hyperthermia
It is a directly life-threatening condition caused most often by the administration of anesthetics and is therefore also called “hyperthermia under anesthesia”. It leads to the accumulation of a large amount of carbon dioxide in the body and, consequently, to an increase in the body temperature above 40 degrees C. It is mainly caused by genetic factors, but also stress increases the risk of malignant hyperthermia. The most important thing in this case is a quick response and the faster discontinuation of the anesthetic before serious damage occurs.
Systemic hyperthermia
In this case, we are not dealing with a disorder, but with a specific procedure in which the patient is heated with special heat radiators. During the procedure, the patient can be given intravenous infusions, and the procedure itself is completely painless and safe. It is most often used in degeneration of joints, rheumatic pains and autoimmune diseases – hypothermia is one of the most effective tools used to fight cancer. Athletes are also subjected to systemic hyperthermia that supports regeneration and rehabilitation. Contraindications relate primarily to cardiac disorders, but importantly, it can be carried out in such situations, provided that the heart is monitored on an ongoing basis. It is also not recommended to perform the treatment on patients with acute infections, thermal damage to the skin, and also in pregnant women.
Deep hyperthermia
It is a type of controlled hyperthermia treatment, which, however, is performed on a specific part of the body. It involves local heating of a given part of the body, thanks to which the body is exposed to less stress. It is most often used as an aid in the fight against cancer, as both pathological tissues and the tortuous vessels that connect to them are much more susceptible to temperature changes, and are damaged much faster. Deep hyperthermia makes sense especially when chemotherapy and radiotherapy are not working fully as they should, it usually stimulates them, or by increasing the convoluted veins and pressure, it makes it easier for drugs to reach infected parts of the body. It also works well in the case of inoperable neoplasms and those whose excision is associated with a high risk or significantly impairs the patient’s life, as well as in all metastases or recurrences. At the same time, topical application protects the rest of the healthy organism, so that contraindications are practically non-existent.