Describe the physiological changes that occur during heatstroke

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Heatstroke results when there is a lack of compensatory heat-loss measures, such as sweating, even through the body temperature is rising above normal (hyperthermia). No sweating occurs, despite a markedly elevated body temperature, because the hypothalamic thermoregulatory control centers are not functioning properly and cannot initiate heat-loss mechanisms. During the development of heatstroke, body temperature starts to climb as the heat-loss mechanisms are eventually overwhelmed by prolonged, excessive heat gain. Once the core temperature reaches the point at which the hypothalamic temperature control centers are damaged by the heat, the body temperature rapidly rises even higher because of the complete shutdown of heat-loss mechanisms. Furthermore, as the body temperature increases, the rate of metabolism increases correspondingly because higher temperatures speed up the rate of all chemical reactions; the result is even greater heat production. This positive-feedback state sends the temperature spiraling upward.