Heat Related Injury and Illness Flashcards
The 4 ways the body dissipates heat
- Radiation (infared rays)
- Convection (air/water across skin)
- Conduction (physical Contact)
- Evaporation (Sweat)
Pathophysiology of a Fever
Temperature elevation due to activity of the hypothalamus, in response to cytokines triggered by infection or sterile inflammation
Pathophysiology of Hyperthermia
Temperature elevation due to uncontrolled heat generation (i.e. muscular hyperactivity), which can generate temperatures higher than a fever, with greater risk of thermal injury to tissues.
Unlike fever, hyperthermia involves complete loss of thermal control
Does Fever or Hyperthermia involve complete loss of thermal control?
Hyperthermia
As body temp incr, skin sensors and warm blood stimulates the anterior hypothalamus, which stimulates ….
- Vasodilatation
- Increased Cardiac Output
- Increased Respiratory Rate
- Increased Sweat Production
as temp incr above ____, most heat loss occurs thru sweating.
95F
As relative humidity incr above ____%, sweating becomes ineffective
75%
bc moisture on skin cannt transfer into air bc theres not enough of a humidity difference b/w skin and air
Factors contributing to incr heat illness danger
- High heat
- high humidity
- lack of wind
Types of heat illness
- Heat cramps
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat stroke
Heat cramps
- painful, involuntary spasmodic muscle cramps that occur in heavily exercised muscles in hot and humid environments
- mildest form of heat injury
- ET: e- imbalance
Do heat cramps results in hyper or hyponatremia?
hyponatremia bc you sweat and replace water but not salt
Typical body temp during muscle cramps?
norm, body is still thermoregulating
Heat cramps trmnt
- firm passive muscle stretching (ankel dorsiflexion for calf cramp)
- rest in cool space
- Oral fluids (1-2L water with 2 tsp salt)
When to seek immediate attention for heat cramps?
- Cramps cannot be controlled
- Insufficient fluid intake due to nausea/vomiting
- Significant weakness
- Profuse sweating not controlled in air-conditioned environment
- May have in addition to heat exhaustion or heat stroke
Heat exhaustion can very quickly lead to ______ if not treated ASAP
heat stroke
Heat exhaustion is determined by a core temp >______
An illness resulting from prolonged, heavy activity in a hot environment with subsequent dehydration, electrolyte depletion, and rectal temperature 37.8 °C - 40 °C (100 °F - 104 °F)
Heat stroke is determined by a core temp >_____
A life-threatening heat illness characterized by extreme hyperthermia (core temperature >40 °C [104.0 °F]), dehydration, and neurologic manifestations
Which two types of heat illness are thermoregulation issues?
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke