An increase in body temperature can indicate anything from a common cold to a critical illness. Hyperthermia and hyperpyrexia can both result from elevated body temperature.
The key difference between hyperthermia and hyperpyrexia is their cause. Hyperthermia is a sudden and uncontrolled increase in the body temperature due to failure of the thermoregulatory mechanism of the body while hyperpyrexia is the increase in the hypothalamic set point of body temperature due to the body’s adaptive response to a pathological state.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Hyperthermia
3. What is Hyperpyrexia
4. Similarities – Hyperthermia and Hyperpyrexia
5. Hyperthermia vs Hyperpyrexia in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Hyperthermia vs Hyperpyrexia
7. FAQ – Hyperthermia and Hyperpyrexia
What is Hyperthermia?
In hyperthermia, the body is unable to lose enough heat to cope with increased production and maintain a normal body temperature. The body temperature elevates in an uncontrolled fashion due to exogenous heat exposure or endogenous heat production. Physical exertion in very hot, humid weather is the most common cause of hyperthermia. The symptoms of hyperthermia may include blurred vision, dizziness, fast breathing, fatigue, headache, syncope, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, weakness, anhidrosis, balance problems, delirium, hot, flushed skin, low or high blood pressure, and seizures.
Hyperthermia can be diagnosed through physical examinations, blood tests, and urine tests. Furthermore, treatment options for hyperthermia may include stopping physical activity and resting in a cool, well-ventilated environment, removing heavy or tight clothing, drinking salty beverages to replace electrolytes, applying a cool compress to the skin, keeping irritated skin dry and gently stretching any muscles that are cramping.
What is Hyperpyrexia?
Hyperpyrexia is another term for high fever that can occur in patients with severe infections. In hyperpyrexia, the brain tells the body to raise its baseline temperature above normal. This reaction usually happens as a result of an infection or trauma. Hyperpyrexia can happen from intracranial hemorrhage, sepsis, other infections, and anaesthesia. The symptoms of hyperpyrexia may include increased thirst, extreme sweating, dizziness, muscle cramps, fatigue, light-headedness, headache, contracted pupils, mild confusion, pale, moist, and cool skin, vomiting, upset stomach, decreased urination, loss of consciousness, rapid, shallow breathing, and weak and fast pulse.
Hyperpyrexia can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examinations, blood tests, and imaging studies. Furthermore, treatment options for hyperpyrexia may include managing underlying conditions, a cool bath or cold, wet sponges put on the skin, hydration from IV or from drinking, and fever-reducing medications such as dantrolene.
Similarities Between Hyperthermia and Hyperpyrexia
- Hyperthermia and hyperpyrexia can cause an increase in body temperature.
- Both conditions may have similar symptoms, such as weakness, pale skin, and headache.
- Both can be diagnosed through physical examinations and blood tests.
- They can be treated through specific medications and therapies.
Difference Between Hyperthermia and Hyperpyrexia
Definition
- Hyperthermia is a condition where the body is unable to lose enough heat to cope with increased production and maintain a normal body temperature.
- Hyperpyrexia is a condition where the brain tells the body to raise its baseline temperature above normal.
Hypothalamus Involvement
- The hypothalamus is not involved in hyperthermia.
- The hypothalamus is involved in hyperpyrexia.
Causes
- Hyperthermia is caused by physical exertion in very hot, humid weather.
- Hyperpyrexia is caused by intracranial hemorrhage, sepsis, other infections, and anesthesia.
Symptoms
- Symptoms of hyperthermia include blurred vision, dizziness, fast breathing, fatigue, headache, syncope, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, weakness, anhidrosis, balance problems, delirium, hot, flushed skin, and potential changes in blood pressure or seizures.
- Symptoms of hyperpyrexia include increased thirst, extreme sweating, dizziness, muscle cramps, fatigue, lightheadedness, headache, contracted pupils, mild confusion, pale, moist, and cool skin, vomiting, upset stomach, decreased urination, loss of consciousness, rapid, shallow breathing, and a weak but fast pulse.
Diagnosis
- Diagnosis for hyperthermia involves physical examination, blood tests, and urine tests.
- Diagnosis for hyperpyrexia includes medical history assessment, physical examination, blood tests, and imaging studies.
Treatment
- Treatment for hyperthermia includes stopping physical activity and resting in a cool, well-ventilated environment, removing heavy or tight clothing, drinking salty beverages to replace electrolytes, applying cool compresses to the skin, keeping irritated skin dry, and gently stretching cramped muscles.
- Treatment for hyperpyrexia includes managing the underlying condition, cooling the body with a cool bath or cold, wet sponges on the skin, providing hydration through IV fluids or oral intake, and administering fever-reducing medications such as dantrolene.
The following table summarizes the difference between hyperthermia and hyperpyrexia.
Summary – Hyperthermia vs Hyperpyrexia
The body temperature changes throughout the life. It often rises from childhood to adulthood. On the other hand, it is dipping in the later years of life. Hyperthermia and hyperpyrexia are two conditions due to an increase in normal body temperature. Both conditions may have similar symptoms, such as weakness, pale skin, headache, etc. However, hyperthermia is a sudden and uncontrolled increase in the body temperature due to a failure of the thermoregulatory mechanism of the body while hyperpyrexia is the increase in the hypothalamic set point of body temperature due to the body’s adaptive response to a pathological state. This summarizes the difference between hyperthermia and hyperpyrexia.
FAQ: Hyperthermia and Hyperpyrexia
1. What causes hyperthermia?
- Hyperthermia is an abnormally high body temperature caused by a failure of the heat-regulating mechanisms of the human body to deal with the heat coming from the environment. The hypothalamus set point of temperature is not going to be changed in hyperthermia.
2. What are the symptoms of hyperthermia?
- The symptoms of hyperthermia include high body temperature (103 °F or higher), hot, red, dry, or damp skin, fast, strong pulse, headache, light-headedness or dizziness, nausea, confusion, and losing consciousness (passing out).
3. How can I prevent hyperthermia?
- Hyperthermia can be prevented by drinking plenty of fluids and staying in air-conditioned spaces when it’s hot outside. It can be treated at home with cool compresses and fluids. Medical attention should be taken immediately if one develops heat stroke or a body temperature of 106 degrees or higher.
4. When is a fever too high?
- If an adult has a fever over 103 °F (39.4 °C), you need to call the healthcare provider immediately. If it is over 105 °F (40.5 °C), you need to rush to the nearest emergency room.
5. How to reduce high fever?
- Taking paracetamol or ibuprofen in appropriate doses to help bring the temperature down. Drink plenty of fluids, particularly water. Avoid alcohol, tea, and coffee as these drinks can cause slight dehydration. Sponge the exposed skin with tepid water to cool the body.
Reference:
1. “Hyperthermia: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Recovery.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Hyperpyrexia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Symptoms-fever” By CDC – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Treatment by diathermic hyperpyrexia. Wellcome M0015385” By Welcome Image Gallery (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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