Osmosis video - Thermoregulation : Nursing

Thermoregulation is the body's ability to balance between heat gain and heat loss. This is possible by four mechanisms, called neural and vascular control; heat production; heat loss; and behavioral control. Disrupted thermoregulation can manifest as hyperthermia or hypothermia. Causes of hyperthermia include heat stroke, exercise, hyperthyroidism, and infections, whereas causes of hypothermia include frostbite, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and malnutrition.

The most common cause of hyperthermia is extremely high environmental temperature. In this situation, even though the hypothalamus activates sweating and causes dilatation of superficial arteries, these mechanisms are insufficient to dissipate heat. On the other hand, the most common cause of hypothermia is extremely low environmental temperature. In this case, the hypothalamus activates shivering and causes constriction of superficial arteries, but yet again, these mechanisms are insufficient. Complications of hyperthermia include hypotension, tachycardia, and rhabdomyolysis, whereas complications of hypothermia include electrolyte imbalances, coagulopathy, and arrhythmia.