Signs of malignant hyperthermiaMH sets in when a rare genetic muscle disorder causes a severe response to a dose of general anesthetics. In rare instances of extreme labor or exercise, heat strokes can also cause the condition to manifest itself in an affected person.
Mostly MH occurs in children, or adults under the age of thirty. On average, the condition manifests itself once per 15,000 surgeries performed on children and much less frequently among adults.
The diagnosis malignant hyperthermia is mostly used to describe a genetic mutation; however some doctors use it to describe an extreme rise in body temperature when it happens to a patient without the known genetic defect.
In such an event the manifestation of the condition is usually caused by heat strokes, overdosing on drugs like MDA and ecstasy, or a rare affliction called Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which is triggered by psychiatric medication and causes fever and muscle stiffness.
However, the signs of authentic malignant hyperthermia are:
- An extreme increase in body temperature, often more than 115 degrees F, stiff muscles, mostly in the jaw area, but also arms, legs, abdomen and chest are known to be sore, as a sign of MH. Abnormal sweating, irregular beating of the heart, breathing rapidly, to the point it becomes uncomfortable can also be signs of MH, before it sets in.
- Dark brown urine, low blood pressure (often referred to as shock), and coma are also signs of MH along with other conditions. Purple colored lips and, or nails can also be a sign along with general muscle weakness after the event.
MH is trigged when the wrong medication is given to a person afflicted by it. However, it is important to note that many persons carrying the genetic abnormality never develop MH and not all symptoms will manifest during a manifestation of MH.
Most carriers of the condition will not be diagnosed as such until a manifestation occurs during or before a treatment that requires the administering of regular anesthesia. There are several clues a person may be prone to the condition including: high fevers and sore muscles. Blood tests also help to spot the condition before it manifests. If unrecognized, a patient with the condition may die of heart failure during surgery.
If treated in time and correctly the signs of MH will disappear within a 24 hour period. However, if the treatment starts after a severe manifestation of the condition, damages to organs like kidneys, or respiratory system may take longer to heal or are in some cases permanent.
