Heat Exhaustion & Heatstroke

1. Heat Exhaustion & Heatstroke The Center for Life Enrichment Quality Assurance 2013

2. Section 1 Heat Exhaustion

3. Heat Exhaustion Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness that can occur after you’ve been exposed to high temperatures for a period of time and have become dehydrated Heat exhaustion is one of three heat-related syndromes, with heat cramps being the mildest and heatstroke being the most severe

4. Causes of Heat-Related Illnesses Causes of heat exhaustion include exposure to high temperatures, particularly when combined with high humidity and strenuous physical activity Without prompt treatment, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke, a life-threatening condition Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are preventable!

5. Risk Factors for Heat Exhaustion Heat exhaustion is strongly related to the heat index The risk of heat-related illness dramatically increases when the heat index climbs to 91 F or higher It’s extremely important, especially during heat waves, to pay attention to the reported heat index Remember that the heat index is even higher when you are standing in full sun If you live in an urban area, you may be especially prone to develop heat exhaustion during a prolonged heat wave; asphalt and concrete store heat during the day and only gradually release it at night, resulting in higher nighttime temperatures

6. Heat Index • The heat index is given in degrees Fahrenheit • The heat index is a measure of how hot it really feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature • 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 • When the heat index is 91 F or higher, you should take precautions to keep cool

7. Other Risk Factors Age: Infants and children up to age 4, and adults over age 65, are particularly vulnerable because they adjust to heat more slowly than other people Certain Health Conditions: Including heart, lung, or kidney disease, obesity or underweight, high blood pressure, diabetes, mental illness, sickle cell trait, alcoholism, sunburn, and any conditions that cause fever Medications: Including diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, stimulants, some heart and blood pressure medications, and medications for psychiatric conditions Check with your doctor to see if your health conditions and medications are likely to affect your ability to cope with extreme heat and humidity

8. Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion • The most common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include: • Confusion • Dark-colored urine (a sign of dehydration) • Dizziness • Fainting • Fatigue • Headache • Muscle cramps • Nausea • Pale Skin • Cool, moist skin with goose bumps when in the heat • Excessive sweating • Weak or rapid heartbeat • Low blood pressure upon standing • Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion may develop suddenly, or over time, especially with prolonged periods of exercise/physical activity

9. Treatment of Heat Exhaustion • If you think a person may be experiencing heat exhaustion: • Immediately get out of the heat and rest, preferably in an air-conditioned room • If you cannot get inside, try to find the nearest cool and shady place • Drink plenty of fluids (avoid caffeine and alcohol) • Remove any tight or unnecessary clothing • Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath • Apply other cooling measures such as fans or ice towels • If such measures fail to provide relief within 30 minutes, contact your doctor

10. Take Precautions After you’ve recovered from heat exhaustion, you may be more sensitive to high temperatures during the following week It’s best to avoid hot weather and heavy exercise until your doctor tells you that it’s safe to resume your normal activities

11. Section 2 Heatstroke

12. Heatstroke • Heatstroke is caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures or by doing physical activity in hot weather • You are considered to have heatstroke when your body temperature reaches 104 F or higher • Heatstroke is the most serious form of heat injury and is a medical emergency • A possible complication of heatstroke is shock, which is a condition caused by a sudden loss of blood flow • Signs of shock include a very low blood pressure, blue lips and nails, and cool, clammy skin • Heatstroke can kill or cause damage to the brain and other internal organs

13. Causes of Heatstroke Exposure to a hot environment Strenuous activity Wearing excessive clothing Drinking alcohol Becoming dehydrated

14. Risk Factors • Anyone can develop heatstroke, but several factors place you at increased risk: • Age: Infants and children up to age 4, and adults over age 65, are particularly vulnerable because they adjust to heat more slowly than other people • Health Conditions: Including heart, lung, or kidney disease, obesity or underweight, high blood pressure, diabetes, mental illness, sickle cell trait, alcoholism, sunburn, and any conditions that cause fever • Medications: Including antihistamines, diet pills, diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, stimulants, seizure medications, heart and blood pressure medications, and medications for psychiatric illnesses

15. Symptoms of Heatstroke A body temperature of 104 F or higher is the main sign of heatstroke Fainting Throbbing headache Dizziness and light-headedness Lack of sweating despite the heat Red, hot, and dry skin Muscle weakness or cramps Nausea and vomiting Rapid heartbeat, which may be either strong or weak Rapid, shallow breathing Behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering Seizures Unconsciousness

16. Treatment of Heatstroke If you think a person may be experiencing heatstroke, seek immediate medical help Call 911 Take immediate action to cool the overheated person while waiting for emergency treatment Help the person move to a shaded location and remove excess clothing Place ice packs or cold, wet towels on the person’s head, neck, armpits, and groin Mist the person with water while a fan is blowing on him or her

17. Section 3 Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses

18. Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses • When the heat index is high, it’s best to stay inside in air conditioning • If you must go outdoors, you can prevent heat exhaustion by taking these steps: • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat • Avoid sunburn; use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Having a sunburn reduces your body’s ability to rid itself of heat

19. Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses: Drink Extra Fluids • To prevent dehydration, it’s generally recommended to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. Because heat-related illness also can result from salt depletion, it may be advisable to substitute an electrolyte-rich sports drink for water during periods of extreme heat and humidity • Take additional precautions when working outdoors or doing physical activity/exercise. The general recommendation is to drink 24 ounces of fluid two hours before exercise, and consider adding another 8 ounces of water or sports drink right before exercise • During exercise, you should consume another 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes even if you don’t feel thirsty • Avoid fluids containing either caffeine or alcohol, because both substances can make you lose more fluids and worsen heat exhaustion • If you have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention, check with your doctor before increasing liquid intake

20. The Dangers of Heat in a Parked Car • On a hot day, the temperature in your parked car can rise 20 F in just 10 minutes! • Let your car cool down before you drive it • Never leave anyone in a parked car in hot weather for any period of time • Click the link below to view “So how hot is it in your car?” • http://youtu.be/SSnxFea-_eA

21. Resources www.webmd.com www.mayoclinic.com www.nws.noaa.gov