GROUP 11
Heat Stroke, Heat
Cramps, and Heat
Exhaustion
REPORTERS:
Norcio, Dan Erold
Maquilan, Jessie
Operio, Andrea
Vermug, Christine
What are heat-related illnesses?
Heat-related illnesses happen when a
person is exposed to abnormal or
prolonged amounts of heat and
humidity without relief or adequate
fluids. Children and adolescents adjust
more slowly than adults do to changes
in environmental heat and are thus
more vulnerable to heat-related
illnesses.
There are three types of heat-related
illnesses:
Heat Heat
Cramps Exhaustion
Heat
Stoke
Heat Stroke
Heatstroke is a condition caused Heatstroke requires
by your body overheating, usually emergency treatment.
as a result of prolonged exposure Untreated heatstroke can
to or physical exertion in high
quickly damage your brain,
temperatures. This most serious
heart, kidneys and muscles.
form of heat injury, heatstroke,
The damage worsens the
can occur if your body
temperature rises to 104 F (40 C) longer treatment is delayed,
or higher. The condition is most increasing your risk of serious
common in the summer months. complications or death.
Symptoms
High body temperature. A core body temperature of 104 F (40 C)
or higher, obtained with a rectal thermometer, is the main sign of
heatstroke.
Altered mental state or behavior. Confusion, agitation, slurred
speech, irritability, delirium, seizures and coma can all result from
heatstroke.
Alteration in sweating. In heatstroke brought on by hot weather,
your skin will feel hot and dry to the touch. However, in heatstroke
brought on by strenuous exercise, your skin may feel dry or slightly
moist.
CAUSES
In either type of heatstroke, your condition can be brought on
by:
Wearing excess clothing that prevents sweat from evaporating
easily and cooling your body
Drinking alcohol, which can affect your body's ability to
regulate your temperature
Becoming dehydrated by not drinking enough water to
replenish fluids lost through sweating
Risk Factors
Anyone can develop heatstroke, but several factors increase your risk:
Age. Your ability to cope with extreme heat depends on the strength of your
central nervous system. In the very young, the central nervous system is not fully
developed, and in adults over 65, the central nervous system begins to deteriorate,
which makes your body less able to cope with changes in body temperature. Both
age groups usually have difficulty remaining hydrated, which also increases risk.
Exertion in hot weather. Military training and participating in sports, such as
football or long-distance running events, in hot weather are among the situations
that can lead to heatstroke.
Sudden exposure to hot weather. You may be more susceptible to
heat-related illness if you're exposed to a sudden increase in
temperature, such as during an early-summer heat wave or travel to a
hotter climate.
Limit activity for at least several days to allow you to acclimate to the
change. However, you may still have an increased risk of heatstroke until
you've experienced several weeks of higher temperatures
A lack of air conditioning. Fans may make you feel better, but during
sustained hot weather, air conditioning is the most effective way to cool
down and lower humidity.
Certain medications. Some medications affect your body's ability to
stay hydrated and respond to heat. Be especially careful in hot weather if
you take medications that narrow your blood vessels (vasoconstrictors),
regulate your blood pressure by blocking adrenaline (beta blockers), rid
your body of sodium and water (diuretics), or reduce psychiatric
symptoms (antidepressants or antipsychotics).
Certain health conditions. Certain chronic illnesses, such as heart or
lung disease, might increase your risk of heatstroke. So can being obese,
being sedentary and having a history of previous heatstroke.
Complications
Heatstroke can result in a number of complications, depending on
how long the body temperature is high. Severe complications include:
Vital organ damage. Without a quick response to lower body
temperature, heatstroke can cause your brain or other vital organs to
swell, possibly resulting in permanent damage.
Death. Without prompt and adequate treatment, heatstroke can be
fatal.
PREVENTION
Heatstroke is predictable and preventable. Take these steps to prevent
heatstroke during hot weather:
Wear loose fitting, lightweight clothing. Wearing excess clothing or clothing
that fits tightly won't allow your body to cool properly.
Protect against sunburn. Sunburn affects your body's ability to cool itself, so
protect yourself outdoors with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and use a
broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen
generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or
sweating.
Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated will help your body sweat
and maintain a normal body temperature.
Take extra precautions with certain medications. Be on the
lookout for heat-related problems if you take medications that can
affect your body's ability to stay hydrated and dissipate heat.
Never leave anyone in a parked car. This is a common cause of
heat-related deaths in children. When parked in the sun, the
temperature in your car can rise 20 degrees F (more than 11 C) in 10
minutes.
Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day. If you can't avoid strenuous
activity in hot weather, drink fluids and rest frequently in a cool spot. Try to schedule
exercise or physical labor for cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or
evening.
Get acclimated. Limit time spent working or exercising in heat until you're
conditioned to it. People who are not used to hot weather are especially susceptible
to heat-related illness. It can take several weeks for your body to adjust to hot
weather.
Be cautious if you're at increased risk. If you take medications or have a condition
that increases your risk of heat-related problems, avoid the heat and act quickly if
you notice symptoms of overheating. If you participate in a strenuous sporting event
or activity in hot weather, make sure there are medical services available in case of a
heat emergency
Heat Cramps
Heat cramps are painful,
brief muscle cramps. Heat cramps usually
Muscles may spasm or involve muscles that are
jerk involuntarily. Heat fatigued by heavy work,
cramps can occur during such as calves, thighs, and
exercise or work in a hot shoulders.
environment or begin a
few hours later.
Symptoms
Muscle spasms that are:
Painful
Involuntary
Brief
Intermittent
Usually self-limited (go away on their own)
CAUSES
The exact cause of heat cramps is Sweat contains a large amount
unknown. They are probably
related to electrolyte problems.
of sodium, and drinking fluids
with inadequate sodium content
Electrolytes include various may result in a serious low-
essential minerals, such as sodium,
sodium condition called
potassium, calcium, and
hyponatremia. Some factories
magnesium. They are involved in
have virtually eliminated heat
chemical reactions in your
muscles. An imbalance can cause cramps in their workers by
problems. supplying salt-enriched fluids.
Heat Cramp Treatment
and
Home Remedies for Heat Cramps
The doctor will check you for more severe heat illness and possibly
provide you with IV fluid rehydration.
Heat cramps usually go away on their own, but you can try one of these
home remedies:
Rest in a cool place and drink a sports drink, which has electrolytes
and salt, or drink cool water.
Make your own salt solution by mixing 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon table salt
dissolved in a quart of water.
PREVENTION
If you work in a hot environment, you may
experience heat cramps during the first few
days on the job. Once you get used to the
environment, and make sure you have
adequate fluid replacement, you are less likely
to have problems.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a Causes of heat exhaustion include
condition whose symptoms exposure to high temperatures,
may include heavy sweating particularly when combined with
and a rapid pulse, a result of high humidity, and strenuous
your body overheating. It's physical activity. Without prompt
one of three heat-related treatment, heat exhaustion can
syndromes, with heat cramps lead to heatstroke, a life-
being the mildest and threatening condition.
Fortunately, heat exhaustion is
heatstroke being the most
preventable.
severe.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion may develop suddenly or
over time, especially with prolonged periods of exercise. Possible heat
exhaustion signs and symptoms include:
Cool, moist skin with goose Weak, rapid pulse
bumps when in the heat Low blood pressure upon
Heavy sweating standing
Faintness Muscle cramps
Dizziness Nausea
Fatigue Headache
CAUSES
Your body's heat combined with environmental heat results in
what's called your core temperature — your body's internal
temperature. Your body needs to regulate the heat gain (and, in
cold weather, heat loss) from the environment to maintain a
core temperature that's normal, approximately 98.6 F (37 C).
In hot weather, your body cools itself mainly by sweating. The
evaporation of your sweat regulates your body temperature.
However, when you exercise strenuously or otherwise overexert
in hot, humid weather, your body is less able to cool itself
efficiently.
CAUSES
Besides hot weather and strenuous activity, other causes of
heat exhaustion include:
Dehydration, which reduces your body's ability to sweat
and maintain a normal temperature
Alcohol use, which can affect your body's ability to regulate
your temperature
Overdressing, particularly in clothes that don't allow sweat
to evaporate easily
Risk Factors
Young age or old age. Infants and children younger than 4 and adults
older than 65 are at higher risk of heat exhaustion. The body's ability
to regulate its temperature isn't fully developed in the young and may
be reduced by illness, medications or other factors in older adults.
Certain drugs. Medications that affect your body's ability to stay
hydrated and respond appropriately to heat include some used to
treat high blood pressure and heart problems (beta blockers,
diuretics), reduce allergy symptoms (antihistamines), calm you
(tranquilizers), or reduce psychiatric symptoms such as delusions
(antipsychotics). Additionally, some illegal drugs, such as cocaine and
amphetamines, can increase your core temperature.
A high heat index. The heat index is a single temperature value that
considers how both the outdoor temperature and humidity make you feel.
When the humidity is high, your sweat can't evaporate as easily and your
body has more difficulty cooling itself, making you prone to heat
exhaustion and heatstroke.
Sudden temperature changes. If you're not used to the heat, you're
more susceptible to heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion.
Traveling to a warm climate from a cold one or living in an area that has
experienced an early heat wave can put you at risk of a heat-related
illness because your body hasn't had a chance to get used to the higher
temperatures.
Obesity. Carrying excess weight can affect your body's ability to regulate
its temperature and cause your body to retain more heat.
Complications
Untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to
heatstroke, a life-threatening condition that
occurs when your core body temperature
reaches 104 F (40 C) or higher. Heatstroke
requires immediate medical attention to
prevent permanent damage to your brain and
other vital organs that can result in death.
PREVENTION
You can take a number of precautions to prevent heat exhaustion and
other heat-related illnesses. When temperatures climb, remember to:
Wear loose fitting, lightweight clothing. Wearing excess clothing or
clothing that fits tightly won't allow your body to cool properly.
Protect against sunburn. Sunburn affects your body's ability to cool
itself, so protect yourself outdoors with a wide-brimmed hat and
sunglasses and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least
15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or
more often if you're swimming or sweating.
Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated will help your body
sweat and maintain a normal body temperature.
Take extra precautions with certain medications. Be on the
lookout for heat-related problems if you take medications that
can affect your body's ability to stay hydrated and dissipate
heat.
Never leave anyone in a parked car. This is a common cause of
heat-related deaths in children. When parked in the sun, the
temperature in your car can rise 20 degrees Fahrenheit (more
than 11 C) in 10 minutes.
Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day. If you can't avoid strenuous
activity in hot weather, drink fluids and rest frequently in a cool spot. Try to
schedule exercise or physical labor for cooler parts of the day, such as early
morning or evening.
Get acclimated. Limit time spent working or exercising in heat until you're
conditioned to it. People who are not used to hot weather are especially
susceptible to heat-related illness. It can take several weeks for your body to
adjust to hot weather.
Be cautious if you're at increased risk. If you take medications or have a condition
that increases your risk of heat-related problems, such as a history of previous
heat illness, avoid the heat and act quickly if you notice symptoms of overheating.
If you participate in a strenuous sporting event or activity in hot weather, make
sure there are medical services available in case of a heat emergency.
Thank You
for
Listening!
