Heat illness, heat stroke
Join this channel to support the channel
Heat illnesses include a spectrum of conditions ranging from heat syncope, heat cramps and heat exhaustion to the more severe heat stroke.
Heat syncope (fainting)
It is a form of orthostatic hypotension that is related to dehydration. It occurs due to inadequate cardiac output and hypotension. It occurs with standing quickly after sitting or lying down for prolonged durations in the heat. Symptoms include fainting, dizziness and light-headedness. Treatment includes oral rehydration (water, juice or sports drinks) and placing the patient flat on the ground in a cool area with slight elevation of the legs to push the blood back to the vital organs such as the brain.
Heat cramps
Painful muscle cramps occurring due to decreased sodium concentration in the blood. The patient’s core temperature is usually not elevated. Sodium may decrease when salts are lost in sweat or with excessive water intake that does not include electrolytes leading to a situation called dilutional hyponatremia. Symptoms include painful muscle cramps occurring commonly in the abdominal muscles, arms, legs and thighs. Treatment includes rest, cooling, IV fluids or oral rehydration with fluids rich in electrolytes (sports drinks and juices) to replenish the sodium stores. Prevention could be achieved by consumption of fluids high in electrolytes before strenuous activities.
Heat exhaustion
It is the most common heat illness. Body temperature is elevated but less than 40 degrees. Core body temperature is best measured rectally. Signs and symptoms include:
•Profuse sweating
•Core body temperature lower than 40 degrees
•Weakness and fatigue
•Cramping
•Headaches, nausea and vomiting.
•Fainting
•Hypotension
•Increased heart rate
•Fast shallow breathing
Treatment includes: rest, IV fluids or oral rehydration and rapid cooling by whole-body immersion in an ice bath.
Heat stroke
Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat illness. It is a medical emergency that needs immediate attention. The patient should be transported to the hospital as soon as possible. Heat stoker occurs due to failure of the body’s normal thermoregulatory mechanism. If treatment is not started promptly, end-organ failure and ultimately death may occur. Heat strokes have a high mortality rate and require quick reduction of the patient’s temperature. The three characteristic features of this condition include:
•Lack of sweating
•Core body temperature above 40 degrees (best measured rectally)
•Altered mental status
Additional signs and symptoms include:
•Hot, dry skin
•Disorientation, confusion, and hallucination
•Headache
•Slurred speech.
Treatment:
•This is a serious medical emergency that requires rapid core body temperature reduction. Close monitoring of Airway, Breathing and Circulation.
•Implement basic life support and ACLS protocols.
•Rapid cooling by whole body immersion in an ice bath.
•IV fluids.
source
