Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Heatstroke

Heatstroke is a serious condition that occurs when the body is unable to control its temperature due to excessive heat.  Body temperature rises sharply, causing hyperthermia (body temperature greatly above normal) and dehydration (loss of water from the body).

In normal circumstances, the body controls temperature by disposing of heat through the skin, mainly by sweating. The normal temperature is 36-36.8ºC (96.8-98.24ºF).However, very high temperatures of over 40 ºC (104 ºF) can cause the body’s internal thermometer to fail so that heat is not disposed of adequately and the body cannot cool down in the usual way.

• Symptoms
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Complications
• Prevention

• HaemophiliaHaemorrhoidsHair lossHand, foot and mouth diseaseHangoverHay feverHead injuryHead liceHeadacheHealth and safety at workHealth recordsHearing and vision tests for childrenHearing impairmentHearing testsHeart attackHeart blockHeart failureHeart lung transplantHeartburnHeatstrokeHepatitisHepatitis AHepatitis BHepatitis CHernia, hiatusHernia, inguinalHiccupHip replacementHIV and AIDSHome testsHomeopathyHormone replacement therapyHospitals, admissionHospitals, childrenHospitals, dischargeHughes syndromeHuntington's diseaseHydrocephalusHydronephrosisHyperglycaemiaHyperlipidaemia and lipid-lowering medicinesHypoglycaemiaHypothermiaHysterectomy

  ---