Heat Stroke
|
Medical Encyclopedia
|
Other encyclopedia topics:
|
|
Heat emergencies
Illustrations
Heatstroke
Heat emergencies fall into three categories
of increasing severity: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.
Heat illnesses are easily preventable by
taking precautions in hot weather.
Children, elderly, and obese
people have a higher risk of developing heat illness. People taking certain
medications or drinking alcohol also have a higher risk. However, even a top
athlete in superb condition can succumb to heat illness if he or she ignores the
warning signs.
If the problem isn't addressed, heat cramps
(caused by loss of salt from heavy sweating) can lead to heat exhaustion (caused
by dehydration),
which can progress to heatstroke. Heatstroke, the most serious of the three, can
cause shock,
brain damage, organ failure, and even death.
The following are common causes of heat
emergencies:
 |
High temperatures or humidity
|
|
Prolonged or excessive exercise
|
Excess clothing
|
|
Medications, such as diuretics, neuroleptics, phenothiazines, and
anticholinergics
|
|
Sweat gland dysfunction
|
| | | | | | |
The early symptoms of heat illness include:
Later symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
The symptoms of heatstroke include:
|
Fever (temperature above 104°F)
|
Irrational behavior
|
Extreme confusion
|
Dry, hot, and red skin
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | |
-
Have the person lie down in a cool place. Elevate the person's feet
about 12 inches.
-
Apply cool, wet cloths (or cool water directly) to the person's skin and
use a fan to lower body temperature. Place cold compresses on the person's
neck, groin, and armpits.
-
If alert, give the person beverages to sip (such as Gatorade), or make a
salted drink by adding a teaspoon of salt per quart of water. Give a half
cup every 15 minutes. Cool water will do if salt beverages are not
available.
-
For muscle
cramps, give beverages as above and massage affected muscles gently, but
firmly, until they relax.
-
If the person shows signs of shock
(bluish
lips and fingernails and decreased
alertness ), starts having seizures,
or loses consciousness, call 911 and administer first aid accordingly.
|
DO NOT underestimate the seriousness of heat illness, especially if the
person is a child, elderly, or injured.
|
DO NOT give the person medications that are used to treat fever (such as
aspirin or acetaminophen). They will not help, and they may be harmful.
|
DO NOT give the person salt tablets.
|
DO NOT give the person liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. They
will interfere with the body's ability to control its internal temperature.
|
DO NOT use alcohol rubs on the person's skin.
|
DO NOT give the person anything by mouth (not even salted drinks) if the
person is vomiting or unconscious.
|
| | | | |
Call immediately for emergency medical
assistance if Return
to top
Call 911 if:
|
The person loses consciousness at any time.
|
There is any other change in the person's alertness (for example,
confusion or seizures).
|
The person has a fever over 102°F.
|
Other symptoms of heat stroke are present (like rapid pulse or rapid
breathing).
|
The person's condition does not improve, or worsens despite treatment.
|
| | | |
|
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in hot weather.
|
Rest frequently and seek shade when possible.
|
Avoid exercise or strenuous physical acitivity outside during hot or
humid weather.
|
Drink plenty of fluids every day. Drink more fluids before, during, and
after physical activity.
|
Be especially careful to avoid overheating if you are taking drugs that
impair heat regulation, or if you are overweight or elderly.
|
Be careful of hot cars in the summer. Allow the car to cool off before
getting in.
|
| | | | |
Auerbach PS. Wilderness Medicine. 4th
Ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2001:240-316.
DeLee JC, Drez, Jr., D, Miller MD, eds. DeLee
and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 2nd Ed. Philadelphia,
PA: Saunders; 2003:763.
Updated by: William D. Whetstone M.D., Division of
Emergency Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.
Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
|
A.D.A.M., Inc. is
accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare
Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation
program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53
standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit.
A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for
online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial
process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com)
and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).
|
The information provided should not be used during any
medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A
licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and
all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Adam makes no
representation or warranty regarding the accuracy, reliability, completeness,
currentness, or timeliness of the content, text or graphics. Links to other
sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements
of those other sites. Copyright 2005, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or
distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Follow links in this link rack to read about aspects of your health which
might be an issue for you. Use your back button to return to this page as
needed. This same link rack is reproduced at the bottom of each page in this
section.
|
