Emergency medicine clinics of North America
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Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · Nov 2013
ReviewDrug-induced hyperthermic syndromes: part I. Hyperthermia in overdose.
Drugs and natural compounds that affect the thermoregulatory system can induce or contribute to hyperthermia when used in excess. Hyperthermia associated with drug overdose is dangerous and potentially lethal. This article reviews the body's process of maintaining thermodynamic equilibrium, and describes the mechanisms by which it is influenced by sympathomimetic and anticholinergic drugs, salicylates, and thyroid replacement medications. Appropriate treatment strategies such as cooling and the administration of counteractive medications are discussed.
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Neurologic conditions are categorized as either those that cause a change in mental status or those that create a focal finding on physical examination. Neurologic abnormality associated with fever can be caused by a primary neurologic condition or one that does not originate in the central nervous system. Optimal management of such conditions requires high clinical suspicion and a broad differential diagnosis, which facilitates rapid recognition and effective treatment. A thorough history and physical examination are key determinants in accurately diagnosing neurologic conditions associated with fever, often requiring acquisition of collateral information from persons other than the patient.
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Fever is the most common reason that children and infants are brought to emergency departments. Emergency physicians face the challenge of quickly distinguishing benign from life-threatening conditions. ⋯ In this article, the evaluation and treatment of children with fevers of known and unknown origin are described. Causes of common and dangerous conditions that include fever in their manifestation are also discussed.
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Environmental exposure to high temperatures can result in abnormalities ranging from mild heat exhaustion to heat stroke with multiorgan system failure. An understanding of the mechanisms of thermoregulation and how those mechanisms fail with extreme heat stress is critical for management of the patient with elevated body temperature in the emergency department.