Heat Illness Flashcards
What are some risk factors for heat illness?
heart disease; scleroderma (autoimmune disease); diarrhea and vomiting; obesity; alcohol; lack of sleep; drugs (beta blockers, anticholinergics, diuretics, antihistamines, cyclic antidepressants)
What causes heat cramps?
How do you treat this?
Cause: loss of salt in the body
Treatment: Gatorade or other electrolytes; replace the salt; never water
What are the signs of heat syncope?
fainting due to heat distress - tunnel vision; vertigo; nausea; weakness; and sudden fainting
What heat exhaustion and heat stroke? What are the signs?
Heat exhaustion: inability to cope with heat stress
Symptoms: headache and thirst followed by weakness; fatigue; nausea (with or without vomit); fast heart and respiratory rate; profuse sweating; dizzy when standing; elevated body temp
Heat stroke: temperature greater than 104F
Symptoms: altered mental status (confusion, drowsiness, disorientation, irritability, stumbling walk, and complete confusion)
Why should you not rely on a lack of sweating to gauge this?
lack of sweating occurs on the brink of death
How do you treat heat illness and when should you evacuate the patient?
lay flat in the shade; remove excess clothing; provide any water or sports drinks; begin rapid cooling techniques (cool water and fan; cool cloths on trunk, armpits, abdomen, and groin, immerse in cool water), monitor for hypothermia and rebound hyperthermia
Always evacuate immediately
How can you acclimatize beforehand if you’re traveling to a hot destination?
use a sauna to gradually increase the time and intensity of exposure to heat
