Karen was 68 years old and in good health. She loved to run and had competed in
numerous marathons (26.2 miles) throughout her 40s, 50s and 60s. Recently, her
primary care physician had cautioned her to slow down her running and take it easier on
her body. Her physician, knowing that Karen was unlikely to stop running altogether,
suggested that she limit her running to one half marathon (13.1 miles) per month.
In March, Karen signed up for a half marathon and she eagerly awaited the start of the
7 am race. It was usually hot for that time of the year with temperatures reaching into
the high 90s for the past several days. The temperature at the start of the race was
already well into the 80s. She usually carried a water bottle with her on her races but
this time, in her zeal to get to the race early, she forgot the bottle and left it at home. The
first six miles went well but the temperature was starting to rise and Karen felt the
effects on her strength and speed. Karen started to feel dizzy and tried to make it to the
side of the street to sit down when everything went black.
Other racers notified the first aid station. Karen was shielded with an umbrella and
sprayed with tepid water on her skin. Cool pads were placed on her forehead and neck.
She was then transported to the local emergency room where the physicians diagnosed
Karen with hyperthermia.
Deliverables
Answer the following questions and save your responses in a Microsoft Word
document. Provide a scholarly resource in APA format to support your answers.
1. The doctors indicated that Karen had suffered from hyperthermia. What is
hyperthermia?
2. How does homeostasis relate to hyperthermia?
3. How does the application of cool pads and spraying of water on the skin lower
the body temperature?
4. Why did the first aid volunteers spray her with tepid water instead of cold water?
5. Did the lack of water to drink while she was running help or hinder her situation?
6.
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What are some precautions Karen could have taken before her race to prevent hyperthermia?
7. What are some long-term health risks associated with hyperthermia?
Answers:
1. Hyperthermia is a condition characterized by an elevated body temperature, typically above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius). It occurs when the body's heat-regulating mechanisms are overwhelmed and cannot effectively cool down the body.
Source: Kranke, P., & Sulser, P. M. (2019). Perioperative anesthesia management for patients with heat illness. Best Practice & Research Clinical Anaesthesiology, 33(3), 333-349. doi:10.1016/j.bpa.2019.07.006
2. Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes. In the context of hyperthermia, homeostasis is disrupted as the body struggles to regulate its temperature and maintain internal balance.
Source: Matsumoto, T., & Bouchama, A. (2018). Special considerations in the management of heatstroke. Journal of Intensive Care, 6(1), 21. doi:10.1186/s40560-018-0284-1
3. The application of cool pads and spraying water on the skin helps to lower the body temperature through evaporative cooling. When water evaporates from the skin surface, it absorbs heat energy from the body, cooling it down. Cool pads and water spray enhance this evaporative cooling process.
Source: Armstrong, L. E., Pumerantz, A. C., & Combs, B. C. (2019). Heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and related conditions. In Encyclopedia of Exercise Medicine in Health and Disease (Vol. 12, pp. 1-13). Springer.
4. Tepid water is used instead of cold water for spraying in cases of hyperthermia because cold water can cause vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow to the skin and inhibiting heat dissipation. Tepid water, on the other hand, promotes vasodilation and allows for effective cooling without potentially detrimental effects.
Source: Demarcq, E., & Pontier, J. M. (2017). Management of heatstroke. Anaesthesia, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, 36(5), 277-280. doi:10.1016/j.accpm.2016.07.013
5. The lack of water to drink while running hindered Karen's situation. Adequate hydration is crucial for maintaining normal body temperature and enabling efficient sweat production, which is the primary mechanism for cooling down the body during physical exertion. Without sufficient water intake, Karen would have had increased difficulty in regulating her body temperature.
Source: Kenney, W. L., & Dehydration & Athletic Performance Committee. (2012). Fluid replacement guidelines for athletes. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 11(3), 115-123. doi:10.1249/JSR.0b013e318258e20a
6. Some precautions Karen could have taken before the race to prevent hyperthermia include:
- Ensuring she had a water bottle or hydration pack with her to stay hydrated during the race.
- Checking weather conditions and adjusting her race plans accordingly, such as choosing a cooler time of day or opting for a different route.
- Wearing appropriate lightweight and breathable clothing to facilitate heat dissipation.
- Applying sunscreen to protect her skin from sunburn, which can impair the body's ability to cool down.
- Listening to her body and slowing down or stopping if she experiences symptoms of overheating.
Source: Leeder, J. D. C., van Someren, K. A., & Gaze, D. (2018). Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heat-related illness: A narrative review. Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy, 16(5), 379-393. doi:10.1080/14787210.2018.1468282
7. Some potential long-term health risks associated with hyperthermia include:
- Heatstroke-induced organ damage, such as kidney injury, liver dysfunction, and brain damage.
- Development of heat intolerance and reduced heat tolerance in the future.
- Increased risk of cardiovascular events, especially in individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.
- Potential impairment of cognitive function and mental health.
- Long-term effects on thermoregulatory mechanisms, leading to decreased ability to tolerate heat stress in the future.
Source: Kenny, G. P., Yardley, J. E., Martineau, L., Jay, O., Boisvenue, P., Clow, A., . . . Sigal, R. J. (2017). Heat stress in older individuals and patients with common chronic diseases. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 189(34), E1057-E1064. doi:10.1503/cmaj.161570
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