Olin Front
Heat Related Illness

 

Heat Related Illness

Heat related illness is caused by prolonged exposure to hot temperatures and limited fluid intake. People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable to compensate and properly cool themselves. The body normally cools itself by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating just isn't enough. In such cases, a person's body temperature rises rapidly. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs.

Several factors affect the body's ability to cool itself during extremely hot weather. When the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly. Other conditions related to risk include age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol use.

Summertime activity, whether on the playing field or the construction site, must be balanced with measures that aid the body's cooling mechanisms and prevent heat-related illness.


Preventive Measures

  • Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in hot weather.

  • Drink water often; don't wait until you are thirsty to drink.

  • Avoid liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar, which cause you to lose more body fluid.

  • Drink extra water if you sweat heavily.

  • If you become overheated, improve your ventilation. Open a window or use a fan or air conditioner. This promotes sweat evaporation, which cools the skin.

  • Try to limit outdoor activity and sun exposure to morning and evening hours.

  • Pace yourself if you are not accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment.

  • Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place.


Recognizing Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is caused by insufficient water intake, insufficient salt intake, and a deficiency in the production of sweat. As the name implies, the person will be feeling exhausted. It is a result of excessive heat and dehydration.

Frequent Signs and Symptoms:
  • Dizziness, fatigue, nausea, faintness, headache

  • Moderately increased temperature (101-102 degrees F)

  • Paleness

  • Rapid, weak pulse

  • Fast, shallow breathing

  • Muscle cramps

  • Intense thirst

  • Cool, moist skin

If left untreated, heat exhaustion may progress to heat stroke.


What to Do

Effective cooling measures:
  • Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages

  • Rest

  • Take a cool shower or bath

  • Ice packs, cool towels and an air-conditioned environment

  • Lie down in a cool, shady area

  • Elevate legs higher than the heart


When to Seek Medical Help

  • Symptoms are severe or have worsened or last longer than 1 hour

  • Victim has heart problems or high blood pressure

  • Confusion or decreasing alertness

  • Seizures

Severely exhausted patients may need IV fluids, especially if vomiting keeps them from drinking enough and remaining hydrated.


Recognizing Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat illness. It occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature. The body's temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke may even occur in people who are not exercising, if the weather is hot enough. It is often preceded by heat exhaustion and its symptoms.

Frequent signs and symptoms:
  • Warm, flushed skin

  • No sweating

  • High body temperature (over 103 degrees F)

  • Rapid heartbeat

  • Confusion

  • Loss of consciousness

  • Seizures


What to Do

Victims of heat stroke must be taken to the hospital as quickly as possible. These patients need to have their temperature reduced quickly, often with ice packs, and must also be given IV fluids for rehydration.

While someone is calling for immediate medical assistance, do the following to cool the victim:
  • Get the victim to a shady area

  • Cool the victim rapidly using whatever methods you can (fan, cool water splashed on victim, ice packs under armpits)

  • Monitor body temperature


Medical Resources


  • Olin Phone Information Nurse

    • Available 24 hours per day, every day.
    517-353-5557

  • Sparrow After-Hours Clinic/Urgent Care Clinic

    • Corner of Mt. Hope & Okemos Roads
    2248 Mount Hope Rd., Suite 106
    Open 7 days a week 10 am - 10 pm
    517-381-4001

  • Sparrow Hospital Emergency

    • 1215 E. Michigan Ave.
    Lansing, MI
    24 hour Emergency Department
    517-364-3729


For More Information: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/index.asp

Sources: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp

 

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