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Heat Related Injuries

Heat Related Injuries. What Everyone Should Know. Introduction. How to identify, treat and prevent heat related illness/injury. Stephen T. Hewitt, D.O. Topics of Discussion. Statistics Factors Heat exhaustion vs. heat stroke -diagnosis -treatment -prevention. Statistics.

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Heat Related Injuries

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  1. Heat Related Injuries What Everyone Should Know.

  2. Introduction • How to identify, treat and prevent heat related illness/injury. • Stephen T. Hewitt, D.O.

  3. Topics of Discussion • Statistics • Factors • Heat exhaustion vs. heat stroke -diagnosis -treatment -prevention

  4. Statistics • Uncommon occurrence in silos -under reported? • To date, approximately 20 reported cases of heat related injury/illness in Riley county

  5. Statistics • Agricultural work fatalities by source of injury, 21 states, 1997 -36% tractor -25% all other -19% agricultural machines -7% other vehicle -5% animal -4% truck -4% ground/floor

  6. Factors • Body’s response to heat is comparative to the cooling system of an automobile: -Coolant (blood) is circulated by a pump (heart) from the hot inner core to a radiator (skin cooled by the evaporation of sweat). -Increased temperature is sensed and coolant flow altered by a system of pipes, valves and reservoirs.

  7. Factors • Increased heat production -exercise, exertion -infection, fever -agitation -drugs (amphetamines, LSD, cocaine, caffeine) -hyperthyroidism • Impaired heat dissipation -lack of acclimatization

  8. Factors -high ambient temperature -high ambient humidity -obesity -heavy clothing -dehydration -cardiovascular disease -extremes of age -drugs (diuretics, anticholinergics, sweat gland dysfunction)

  9. Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke

  10. Heat Exhaustion • Clinical syndrome characterized by volume depletion that occurs under conditions of heat stress. • Most common form of heat illness • Less severe than heat stroke

  11. Heat exhaustion • Signs: • vague malaise, fatigue, headache • core temperature often normal, if elevated, less than 104 degrees F. • mental function normal • fast heart rate, low blood pressure • dizziness, nausea/vomiting • sweating persists and may be profuse

  12. Heat Exhaustion • Treatment • move to cooler environment (shade, air conditioning) • replace fluids (cooled) -electrolyte solutions i.e., Gatorade -water • seek medical advice

  13. Heat Exhaustion • Prevention • Work during cooler hours of the day • Adequate hydration -should urinate every 2-3 hours • Regular rest periods

  14. Heat Stroke • Thermoregulatory failure after exposure to high environmental temperatures and humidity • Catastrophic life-threatening medical emergency with high mortality rate • Accounts for 4000 deaths annually in the United States • Most likely to occur in young, healthy persons involved in strenuous physical activity

  15. Heat Stroke • Signs (in addition to signs of heat exhaustion) • Coma, seizures, confusion • Core temperature 105.8 F or higher • Dry, hot skin (sweat may be present)

  16. Heat stroke • Treatment • CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY! • Immediate cooling -bathe in cool/cold water -move to shaded area or air conditioning

  17. Heat Stroke • Prevention • Early recognition of heat exhaustion and appropriate action • KNOW WHEN TO QUIT!

  18. Heat stroke • In 80% of cases, onset of heat stroke is sudden and the patient becomes confused or comatose. • Seizures occur in 70% of cases

  19. Real Life • July 2001 in Riley county, a man was treated at local E.D. for heat stroke -he had been welding/working inside an emptied fuel tanker • Comparable to work/extremes of temperature inside silos

  20. What This Means • When heat and humidity are extreme, exertion is not necessary to produce heat related problems. • Microclimates conducive to heat illness are produced in the interiors of enclosed areas, i.e., silos, tanks, food processing facilities, etc.

  21. Summary • Early recognition and treatment prevents hospitalization and death!

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