Poikilothermia - Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Syndrome
Poikilothermia is derived from the Greek word poikilosthermé means altered temperature. (Poikilos, varied, and thermé, heat). Normally humans can regulate their body temperature according to environmental temperature, referred to as Poikilothermy and organism are known as Poikilothermic.
Similarly When our body fails to regulate optimum core temperature
irrespective of ambient temperature the condition is known as
Poikilothermia.
Contents
Poikilothermia is derived from the Greek word poikilosthermé means altered temperature. (Poikilos, varied, and thermé, heat). Normally humans can regulate their body temperature according to environmental temperature, referred to as Poikilothermy and organism are known as Poikilothermic. Similarly, When our body fails to regulate optimum core temperature irrespective of ambient temperature, the condition is known as Poikilothermia.
Poikilothermia is defined as a pathophysiological syndrome in which the intrinsic thermoregulatory mechanism of the body fails to regulate constant core temperature. Usually, the fundamental thermoregulatory mechanism is being controlled by the hypothalamus.
Other auxiliary physiological mechanisms that play an important role in the regulation of body core temperature are sweating, vasodilation, and vasoconstriction in the superficial layer of skin, piloerection, and shivering. Due to some pathophysiological events, drug interaction (temporary) or spinal cord injury may lead to the poikilothermic syndrome.
Symptoms of Poikilothermia may vary depending upon the underlying cause. However, some common manifestations of Poikilothermia are headache, involuntary. Spasms of large muscle groups, pallor, paresthesia or numbness, high pulse rate, low oxygen saturation, hyperventilation, weakness, dizziness, and blurred vision.
Poikilothermia may occur due to multiple reasons. For example, in the case of hyperpyrexia, patients may be unable to regulate their core body temperature temporarily. Hyperpyrexia induced Poikilothermia is though temporary but one of the most common underlying factor that triggers this phenomenon by releasing endogenous pyrogens.
Drug-induced thermoregulatory failure is another common factor that disturbs the thermal balance of the body via an unknown mechanism. Each drug has its own mechanism so, it is difficult to rule out the exact mechanism of drug-induced thermoregulatory failure. Among all commonly used medicines, central nervous system stimulating agents are more commonly reported to cause Drug-induced thermoregulatory failure.
Some other causes of Poikilothermia are induction of anesthesia, alcoholism, heatstroke, narcotics, spinal cord injury, a severe infection like meningitis, etc.
Poikilothermia treatment is based on symptomatic therapy, e.g., immediate cooling via sponging in case of elevated temperature or steaming in case of severely low temperature. Dizziness or headache can be managed with OTC drugs, but if the patient has a high pulse and low oxygen saturation rate, then immediately seek medical attention; otherwise, the patient may become unconscious, leading to a coma.
Contents
- What is Poikilothermia
- Poikilothermia Definition
- Poikilothermia Symptoms
- Poikilothermia Causes
- Poikilothermia Treatment
What is Poikilothermia
Poikilothermia is derived from the Greek word poikilosthermé means altered temperature. (Poikilos, varied, and thermé, heat). Normally humans can regulate their body temperature according to environmental temperature, referred to as Poikilothermy and organism are known as Poikilothermic. Similarly, When our body fails to regulate optimum core temperature irrespective of ambient temperature, the condition is known as Poikilothermia.
Poikilothermia Definition
Poikilothermia is defined as a pathophysiological syndrome in which the intrinsic thermoregulatory mechanism of the body fails to regulate constant core temperature. Usually, the fundamental thermoregulatory mechanism is being controlled by the hypothalamus.
Other auxiliary physiological mechanisms that play an important role in the regulation of body core temperature are sweating, vasodilation, and vasoconstriction in the superficial layer of skin, piloerection, and shivering. Due to some pathophysiological events, drug interaction (temporary) or spinal cord injury may lead to the poikilothermic syndrome.
Poikilothermia Symptoms
Symptoms of Poikilothermia may vary depending upon the underlying cause. However, some common manifestations of Poikilothermia are headache, involuntary. Spasms of large muscle groups, pallor, paresthesia or numbness, high pulse rate, low oxygen saturation, hyperventilation, weakness, dizziness, and blurred vision.
Poikilothermia Causes
Poikilothermia may occur due to multiple reasons. For example, in the case of hyperpyrexia, patients may be unable to regulate their core body temperature temporarily. Hyperpyrexia induced Poikilothermia is though temporary but one of the most common underlying factor that triggers this phenomenon by releasing endogenous pyrogens.
Drug-induced thermoregulatory failure is another common factor that disturbs the thermal balance of the body via an unknown mechanism. Each drug has its own mechanism so, it is difficult to rule out the exact mechanism of drug-induced thermoregulatory failure. Among all commonly used medicines, central nervous system stimulating agents are more commonly reported to cause Drug-induced thermoregulatory failure.
Some other causes of Poikilothermia are induction of anesthesia, alcoholism, heatstroke, narcotics, spinal cord injury, a severe infection like meningitis, etc.
Poikilothermia Treatment
Poikilothermia treatment is based on symptomatic therapy, e.g., immediate cooling via sponging in case of elevated temperature or steaming in case of severely low temperature. Dizziness or headache can be managed with OTC drugs, but if the patient has a high pulse and low oxygen saturation rate, then immediately seek medical attention; otherwise, the patient may become unconscious, leading to a coma.
Poikilothermia - Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Syndrome
Reviewed by Simon Albert
on
June 13, 2020
Rating:
Reviewed by Simon Albert
on
June 13, 2020
Rating:
