Heat Related Disorders, Sun Care/Skin Damage Flashcards
(55 cards)
The hypothalamus maintains core body
temperature at ~______C .
~37 degree C
How does the body acquires heat?
by several mechanisms (shivering, physical activity, etc.
How does the body eliminates heat?
by several mechanisms (evaporation, radiation, conduction, and convection)
Causes of Heat illness (2)
- from an imbalance of the body’s process of acquires heat and eliminates heat
- as ambient temperature and humidity increase, heat
dissipation becomes less efficient.
List Heat-related illnesses in order of severity:
- Heat Rash
- Heat Edema
- Heat Cramps
- Heat Syncope
- Heat Exhaustion
- Heat Stroke
Heat-related illnesses:
Risk Factors? (5)
- Age
- Outdoor labourers
- Competitive athletes
- Individuals in poor socioeconomic situations
- Other medical / demographic factors or medications
Heat-related illnesses:
What risk do Infants and young children have?
Due to physiologic and thirst-response differences, plus their dependence on caregivers
Heat-related illnesses:
What risk do Older adults have?
Due to comorbid illnesses, medications, poor thermoregulatory response, and social factors such as isolation and inability to provide self-care
Heat-related illnesses:
Examples of Other medical / demographic factors or medications:
- alcoholism, dehydration, psychiatric or pulmonary
disorders, hyperthyroidism, vascular diseases, lack of
acclimatization, lack of breaks, strenuous activity, etc.
- drugs that increase heat production (thyroid drugs), decrease sweating (anticholinergics), or cause vasoconstriction (MAOIs)
Slide 24 - Medications as a Risk Factor???
Look at table
non-pharm for Heat-related illnesses:
1st 5 types of heat-related illnesses:
Heat rash – small blisters or rash that appear as a
result of irritation from excessive sweating
* Keep cool and dry, avoid humidity
Heat edema – in the extremities from vasodilation or
water / sodium retention
* Elevate hands and feet
Heat cramps – common in the arms, legs, and
stomach due to water/sodium depletion
* Stop activity, rest, rehydrate, and stretch affected
muscles
- Seek attention if no improvement in ~1 hour
Heat syncope – dizziness / fainting
* Stop activity, get up slowly (patients often recover
quickly)
Heat exhaustion – weakness, dizziness, headache,
elevated core body temperature (~40C), tachycardia
/ hypotension
* Stop activity, rehydrate
- Seek attention with severe symptoms or if no
improvement in ~2-3 hours
non-pharm for Heat-related illnesses:
Heat Stroke:
This is a medical emergency!
* Can lead to hepatic and renal failure, CNS injury,
coagulopathy, and CV collapse
- “Classic” heat stroke normally affects the elderly
and can develop over several days
- “Exertional” heat stroke normally affects younger,
active individuals after strenuous activity and
can develop rapidly
Symptoms are similar to heat exhaustion plus…
* Hot, dry skin and >40C core body temperature * Altered mental status / confusion / hallucinations * Ataxia (lack of coordination) * Seizures * Coma
Call 911, and …
* Stop activity, get in cool / shaded area with good
air circulation, remove excessive clothing,
rehydrate, and cool the body with ice water towels
applied to the groin, neck, head, and axillae
pharm for Heat-related illnesses:
What should NOT be used?
What CAN be used?
Antipyretics should not be used
Some medications can be used to treat complications
of heat stroke
* e.g., benzodiazepines to control seizures
Heat-related illnesses:
Prevention:
Which group of people may be at risk?
The elderly, athletes, homeless, infants/children, cognitive disabilities, those with risk factors
Heat-related illnesses:
Prevention:
If unable to control exposure, ways to prevent Heat-related illnesses?
Ensure proper hydration and continuously consume
fluids during exertion. Oral rehydration solutions are
helpful, but be mindful of sugar / salt content in these
products.
* Thirst should not be relied upon as a reason to drink
Stay out of the sun
Avoid strenuous activity / take breaks
Wear light coloured / lightweight clothing
Acclimatize to the environment
Heat-related illnesses:
Monitoring and Follow-Up:
In terms of hydration, can monitor for light-yellow
coloured urine
heat exhaustion should resolve within hours, but the
individual should avoid repeated heat exposure for 1-
2 days. Those requiring hospitalization may require
longer- term monitoring due to possible complications
Sun Care and Skin Damage:
What are the 3 Ultraviolet Radiations:
- UVA (320-400nm)
- UVB (290-320nm)
- UVC (270-290nm)
Sun Care and Skin Damage:
Characteristics of UVA:
- is responsible for photoaging, skin cancers, and
reactions from photosensitizing drugs - although less potent than other UV radiation, is a
significant contributor to skin cancer risk because it
readily reaches the Earth’s surface - is present all day and can penetrate clouds
Sun Care and Skin Damage:
Characteristics of UVB:
- is the main cause of sunburns (B = burn!) and plays a
role in cancers and photoaging…but is required for
vitamin D synthesis - is the strongest between 10am and 4pm and is
intensified by conditions such as high temperatures
and reflective surfaces
Sun Care and Skin Damage:
Characteristics of UVC:
- usually filtered by the ozone layer and does not reach
the Earth’s surface
Sun Care and Skin Damage:
How many in Fitzpatrick Skin Type?
6
Sun Care and Skin Damage:
Describe Fitzpatrick Skin Type I, skin colour/features before and after sun:
Before Sun:
Ivory
After Sun:
Always freckles, always burn/peels, never tans
Sun Care and Skin Damage:
Describe Fitzpatrick Skin Type II, skin colour/features before and after sun:
Before Sun:
Fair or pale
After Sun:
Usually freckles, often burn/peels, rarely tans
Sun Care and Skin Damage:
Describe Fitzpatrick Skin Type III, skin colour/features before and after sun:
Before Sun:
Fair to beige, with golden undertones
After Sun:
Might freckles, burn on occasion, sometimes tans
