HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE

Sweat acts like our natural air conditioner. As sweat evaporates from our skin, it cools us off. Our personal cooling system can fail, though, if we overexert ourselves on hot and humid days. When this happens, our body heat can climb to dangerous levels. This can result in heat exhaustion or a heat stroke, which is life-threatening.

Heat exhaustion takes time to develop. Fluids and salt are vital for health. They are lost, as children and adults sweat a lot during exercise or other strenuous activities. It is very important to drink lots of liquids before, during and after exercise in hot weather. As strange as it seems, people suffering from heat exhaustion have low, normal or only slightly elevated body temperatures.

HEAT CRAMP / HEAT EXHAUSTION / HEAT STROKE

  SYMPTOMS MENTAL STATUS CORE TEMPERATURE TREATMENT
HEAT CRAMP

*excessive loss of salt due to sweating
  • pain in the legs
  • pain in the abdomen
  • nausea
  • hypotension
  • rapid pulse
  • skin cool and pale conscious
conscious normal
  • shady place
  • if there isn't nausea, you should drink water with salt
  • if there is nausea, you may require IV fluids
  • resting for 1-3days
HEAT EXHAUSTION

*excessive water loss

  • headache
  • nausea
  • fatigue
  • dizziness or light headedness
  • actively sweating
  • skin cool and pale
  • usually conscious
  • may faint
Over 39 degrees Centigrade (102 degrees F)
  • shady place or AC room
  • keep cool
  • increase fluids
  • cold wet towels
  • fan
  • may require IV fluids
HEAT STROKE

*failure of body's heat controlling mechanisms

*EMERGENCY!

  • headache
  • flushed skin
  • dry skin
  • rapid, bounding pulse
  • incoherent speech
  • disoriented
  • confused
  • aggressive
  • possibly unconscious
Over 40,5 degrees Centigrade (105 degrees F)
  • immediate action necessary
  • shady place or AC room
  • remove most of the clothes
  • apply cool, wet towels
  • fan to increase air flow
  • transport the victim to the hospital as rapidly as possible

RISK GROUPS

  • Very young people (their adaptive mechanism have not been developed yet)
  • Very old people
  • People with diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Congestive heart disease
  • Obese people
  • Alcoholics
  • Especially ones who are taking diuretics
  • Those who are not accustomed to hot climate
  • Patients who have high fever
  • People who are suffering from chronic diseases.


PREVENTION


Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can be prevented with this advice:

  • Do not stay in or leave anyone in closed, parked cars during hot weather.
  • Take caution when you must be in the sun.
  • At the first signs of heat exhaustion, get out of the sun or your body temperature will continue to rise.
  • Do not exercise vigorously during the hottest times of the day. Instead, run, jog or exercise closer to sunrise or sunset. If the outside temperature is 82 degrees F (~28 degrees Centigrade) or above and the humidity is high, do your activity for a shorter time.
  • Wear light, loose fitting clothing, such as cotton, so sweat can evaporate. And, put on a wide-brimmed hat with vents.
  • Drink lots of liquids, especially if your urine is a dark yellow, to replace the fluids you lose from sweating. Thirst is not a reliable sign that your body needs fluids. When you exercise, it is better to sip rather than gulp the liquids.
  • Drink water or water with salt added if you sweat a lot. (Use 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 quart of water.) Sport drinks such as Gatorade, All Sport and Power Ade are good too.
  • If you feel very hot, try to cool off. Open a window, use a fan or turn on an air conditioner.
  • Limit your stay in hot tubs or heated whirlpools to 15 minutes. Don't use them when you are alone.
  • Do not drink alcohol or beverages with caffeine because they speed up fluid loss.
  • Stay out of the sun if you are taking water pills, mood altering or antispasmodics medications. Check which ones are safe with your doctor.
  • Do not bundle a baby in blankets or heavy clothing. Infants don't tolerate heat well, because their sweat glands are not well developed.
  • Some people perspire more than others. Those who do should drink as much fluid as they can during hot, humid days.
  • Know the signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion and don't ignore them.




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