Medicine:Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a severe form of heat illness. It is a medical emergency. Heat exhaustion is caused by the loss of water and electrolytes through sweating.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include skin tingling, nausea, dizziness, irritability, headache, thirst, weakness, vomiting, high body temperature, excessive sweating, pupil dilation, and decreased urine output.[1]
Causes
Common causes of heat exhaustion include:[2]
- Hot, sunny, humid weather
- Physical exertion, especially in hot, humid weather
- Due to impaired thermoregulation, elderly people and infants can get serious heat illness even at rest, if the weather outside is hot and humid, and they are not getting enough cool air.
- Some drugs, such as diuretics, antihistamines, beta-blockers, alcohol, MDMA ('Ecstasy', 'Molly'), and other amphetamines can cause an increase in the risk of heat exhaustion.[3]
Especially during physical exertion, risk factors for heat exhaustion include:[2]
- Wearing dark, padded, or insulated clothing; hats; and/or helmets (for example, football pads, turnout gear, etc.)
- Having a higher percentage of body fat
- Dehydration
- Fever
- Some medications, like beta blockers and antipsychotic medicines[3]
Diagnosis
Treatment
First aid
First aid for heat exhaustion includes:[1][3]
- Moving the person to a cool place
- Having the patient take off extra layers of clothes
- Cooling the patient down by fanning them and/or putting wet towels on their body
- Having them lie down and put their feet up if they are feeling dizzy
- Having them drink water or sports drinks unless they are unconscious, too disoriented to drink, or vomiting
- Turning the patient on their side if they are vomiting
Emergency medical treatment
If an individual with heat exhaustion receives medical treatment, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), doctors, and/or nurses may also:[4]
- Provide supplemental oxygen
- Administer intravenous fluids and electrolytes if they are too confused to drink and/or are vomiting
Prognosis
If left untreated, heat exhaustion may progress to heat stroke.[1]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Jacklitsch, Brenda L. (June 29, 2011). "Summer Heat Can Be Deadly for Outdoor Workers". Medscape and NIOSH. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/745198.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Heat Injury and Heat Exhaustion". American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. July 2009. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00319.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke". National Health Service of the United Kingdom. June 11, 2015. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Heat-exhaustion-and-heatstroke/Pages/Introduction.aspx.
- ↑ Mistovich, Joseph J.; Karren, Keith J.; Hafen, Brent (July 18, 2013). Prehospital Emergency Care (10 ed.). Prentice Hall. ISBN 978-0133369137.
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