For hyperthermia meaning, it is an illness that refers to a very high body temperature. It also refers to heat-related injuries. Hence, it happens when exposed to extreme heat. Sometimes, it is a sign of an illness or condition.
Meanwhile, malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a fatal illness. as a result, one can differ from high body temperature and severe muscle cramps. Being in a hot place is not the cause of MH. Also, it can happen and shows up after the person receives drugs for anesthesia. Such drugs relax the muscle and block the feeling of pain during surgery. Also, most of these drugs go inside the body through inhalation or injection.
Malignant Hyperthermia Causes
1. Having a genetic defect
Certain genetic defects make someone at risk for this illness. Yet, the blame does not only go to the gene itself. Therefore, the calming drug makes the body react and show signs.
2. Family History
Kids whose parents have problems in the genes are at higher risk. If in case one of their parents has it, they have a 50% chance of getting it. Therefore, T\there is a high chance for you to have this disease if you or a relative:
- Experienced symptoms of malignant hyperthermia. The symptoms show up after receiving the anesthesia.
- Had a muscle tissue break down. The injury happened after an exercise at a high temperature. It could also occur when taking a statin drug. This drug lowers a type of fat in the blood.
- Have a muscle disease passed on by parents
MH Symptoms
These symptoms occur due to reaction to the anesthetic drugs. It could happen on or after surgery.
3. Rapid and Shallow Breathing
This symptom follows problems with low oxygen and high carbon dioxide. It is one of the early signs that occur.
4. Fast or Irregular Heart Rate
As the condition includes rapid breathing, it will entail a rapid heart rate.
5. Mottled Skin
To look for the sign, look at the skin. Hence, people with MH has bluish areas and bright red patches on their skin. This sign is due to the lack of oxygen in the blood.
6. Pain
These signs are due to the abnormal release of calcium. As a result, the person’s muscles will have a constant contraction. So, the patient will have muscle cramps, spasms, damage, and even renal problems.
7. Dark-colored Urine
A person with the disease might have dark brown or bloody urine. The muscles give off a protein, which makes the urine dark.
8. Bleeding
It may cause too much blood clotting, which results in organ damage. Afterward, it will cause excessive bleeding.
9. Nausea and Vomiting
Hyperthermia causes weakness, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.
10. The temperature of 40.6 °C and up
The fast increase in temperature is a sign that happens in severe cases. Hence, bodies’ normal temp ranges from 36.1 °C to 37.2 °C. So, if the patient has a very high fever, it might be too late. This sign supports its name. Malignant, which means fatal, go with hyperthermia’s meaning.
11. Excessive sweating
It is normal for the body to react by sweating. By doing so, it tries to remove the heat. Also, consider it a symptom if it is excessive sweating. Other diseases have similar symptoms and causes of MH. To be sure, doctors hold tests like:
- Taking a blood sample
- Study of the blood clot
- Taking samples from leg muscle tissue
- Urine myoglobin test. Myoglobin is the small protein found in the muscles. As MH happens, this protein goes on with the urine.
If it is not treated, further problems include:
- Swollen hands and feet
- Problems with blood flow and nerves
- Kidney damage or failure
- It can cause an acid build-up in body fluids. After going through MH, acid levels must be tracked.
- Lungs have fluid build-up.
- Deformed or injured muscles. When muscle tissues break down, it will also release contents into the blood.
- Removal of some body parts
- Heart problem. The heart might fail to pump, which results in loss of blood flow.
- Death
The gene defect is not the problem itself. Hence, it is the reaction to the anesthesia. If you or your spouse has MH, your kid might have it too. Therefore, it is important to tell your family’s history if you are about to undergo surgery. Above all, a doctor will surely use other drugs that will not trigger MH.
Important Note
It is an illness that can costs life. Compared to other diseases, it is harder to recognize in one look. You’ll not know unless exposed to anesthesia. Still, if symptoms show up, immediate treatment must take place. By doing so, it will ensure the safety of the patient. We may not change our genes, but we can prevent such problems. There are tests where doctors can know if someone is at risk for MH.
