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Understanding and Managing Heat-Related Illnesses

Learn about the medical aspects of heat waves, heat-related illnesses, first aid, and preventive measures. Discover why some people are at a higher risk and how to take immediate action in case of heat stroke.

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Understanding and Managing Heat-Related Illnesses

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  1. Heat Wave – Medical Aspects DPH&FW

  2. Heat wave • Heat wave is considered if maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C or more for Plains, 37°C or more for coastal stations and at least 30°C or more for Hilly regions. • at least in 2 stations in a Meteorological sub-division for at least two consecutive days and it will be declared on the second day.

  3. Based on Actual Maximum Temperature (for plains only) • Heat Wave: When actual maximum temperature ≥ 45°C • Severe Heat Wave: When actual maximum temperature ≥47°C

  4. Heat Wave – Medical Aspects • Magnitude of problem? • What happens to the body as a result of exposure to extreme heat? • What are the Heat related illnesses? • What First Aid can we give? • Why some people are at higher risk? • Preventive measures? • Medical aspects of Action Plan?

  5. Magnitude of problem Heat related illnesses and deaths in Telangana*# *Source: IDSP and Epidemic cell, Telangana # Represented by only government health care facilities

  6. What Happens to the Body as a Result of Exposure to Heat? • External Heat • Internal Heat (Muscle activity) Heat stress • Sweating • Cutaneous Vasodilation • Cold seeking (Thirst) Heat Tolerance

  7. What Happens to the Body as a Result of Exposure to ExtremeHeat? • External Heat • Internal Heat (Muscle activity) Severe heat stress • Salt and water loss • Dehydration • Insufficient brain perfusion • Circulatory shock and Hyperthermia • Sweating • Cutaneous Vasodilation

  8. What Happens to the Body as a Result of Exposure to ExtremeHeat? HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES • Heat rash • Heat syncope • Heat cramps • Heat exhaustion • Heat stroke • Insufficient brain perfusion • Salt and water loss • Dehydration • Circulatory shock and Hyperthermia

  9. Heat Rash (prickly heat) • Symptoms: • Skin becomes reddened • Itching, feel prickly or hurt First Aid: • Practice good personal hygiene; • Keep the skin clean and the pores unclogged, allow skin to dry • Wear loose and cotton clothing • See doctor if rash persists

  10. Heat syncope (fainting) • Symptoms: • Dizziness, feeling light-headed and perhaps nauseous, then the person may faint. First Aid: • Lay victim in a cool location horizontally with feet elevated • Give fluids when fully conscious

  11. Heat Cramps • Symptoms: • Cramping of either active muscles (arms, legs) or involuntary (usually abdominal) muscles (or both) First Aid: • Replenish electrolytes through drinking of fluids such as ORS • Restin a cool environment.

  12. Heat Exhaustion • Symptoms: • Profuse sweating, cold/wet (clammy) grayish skin • Nausea, dizziness, weakness • Headache, blurred vision • Unconsciousness First Aid: • Lay victim in a cool location horizontally with feet elevated • If conscious, give fluids • If unconscious, seek medical help

  13. Heat Stroke • Symptoms: • High fever (>1040F) • No sweating, warm dry skin • Nausea, Vomiting • Throbbing headache • Confusion • Unconsciousness First Aid: • Immediate, aggressive cooling of the victim’s body using wet cloths, immersion into cold water • Transport to emergency medical facility ASAP!

  14. Heat Stroke is medical emergency!!

  15. Immediate treatment (First aid) Reduction of body temperature Rehydration Rest in cool environment

  16. Reduction of Body Temperature • Bath/Shower • Cool environment • Evaporative cooling • (Cold Sponging with fan) • Immersion cooling (Ice) • Cool fluid intake • Lying position with elevated feet

  17. Rehydration • ORS– Oral Rehydration Solution • Easily treated at home • Mix contents of entire packet in 1 liter clean drinking water • When ORS is not available…. • Mix 5 gm (1 tsp) salt & 20 gm (2 Tsp) sugar in 1 liter of clean drinking water • A slice of lemon provides taste as well as improves the quality of home ORS • Alternatives: Lassi, Ganji(rice water), lemon water, buttermilk etc • If dehydration is severe, hospital admission to give iv fluids

  18. Why Some People are at Higher Risk? • Personal Factors • Age • Weight • Occupation • Pre existing illnesses & Medication • Behavioural Factors • Fitness level • Alcohol • Sleeping habits • Drinking water habits • Personal protection • Environmental Factors • Temperature • Humidity • Radiant Heat • Air Velocity

  19. Avoid, Acclimatize, Alert • Avoid Sunlight by • Modifying routine schedules (Off during 1200-1500hrs) • Planning working schedule and domestic tasks • Using Sun screen, sunglasses, headgear, appropriate (cotton) clothing • Acclimatize • Short work-shifts, frequent breaks • Slow and gradual (1-2 weeks) • Alert • Early detection of warning signs • Seek medical advice

  20. Action Plan – Medical Strategies 1. Public health surveillance 2. Extensive IEC campaigns through print, electronic and social media 3. Deployment of Rapid Response Teams 4. Stockpiling ORS, ensuring all health facilities to be well-equipped 5. Creating medical posts at places of mass gathering 6. Specific care for vulnerable groups 7. Training of human resources in first aid

  21. Medical Preparedness • Awareness on heat wave illness • Extensive IEC campaigns through print & social media • Stock piling of ORS, Ensuring all health facilities to be self sufficient • Creating medical posts at places of mass gathering • Specific care for vulnerable group • Drugs made available at all health facilities namely eg:ORS, IV fluids....etc

  22. LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT DEPARTMENT • To shift timings for outdoor workers at peak afternoon hours (1PM-5PM) during a heat alert • Provide emergency ice packs and heat illness prevention material to construction workers in high rise building

  23. ANIMAL HUSBANDARY: • Orient field workers from department of animal husbandry to reduce deaths among cattle/poultry/sheep due to heat wave- issue advisories • Display IEC at village and government offices • Ensure availability of adequate field staff during heat wave

  24. TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT: • Display Do’s and Don’ts IEC • Ensuring availability of shade in bus stops and provide cold drinking water and availability of ORS in identified locations • Establish health camps at major bus stands • Provide emergency Ice packs and heat illness prevention materials to TSRTC staff.

  25. EDUCATION: • Display Do’s and Dont’s IEC at schools • Identify shelter space, of shade, drinking water, ORS facilities with signs • Ensure schools do not function during peak hours during (12-4PM) when heat wave is declared • No open air class to be conducted

  26. FOREST & ENVIRONMENT: • Actions to reduce incidences of forest fire and ensure availability in forests for animals.

  27. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY • Dynamic online /Web portal • IHIP-Medical & health • Develop heat wave App • Mapping the hospitals, schools, public places..etc

  28. Heat related illnesses are 100% preventable!!Thank youHave a safe summer!

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