Description

Heat exhaustion is a condition that occurs when the body overheats. Symptoms may include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse. Heat exhaustion is one of the three heat-related illnesses, with heat cramps being the mildest and heatstroke being the most severe.

Causes of heat illness include exposure to high temperatures, especially when there is also high humidity, and strenuous physical activity. Without prompt treatment, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, a life-threatening condition. Fortunately, the heat exhaustion is preventable.

Symptoms

The symptoms of heat exhaustion can begin suddenly or progress over time, especially with prolonged periods of exercise. Possible symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

  • Cool, moist skin with goose bumps when in the heat.
  • Excessive sweating.
  • The weakness.
  • The dizziness.
  • Fatigue.
  • Weak, rapid pulse.
  • The low blood pressure when standing up.
  • Muscle cramps.
  • Nausea.
  • The pain of a headache.

When to see a doctor

If you think you may have a heat stroke:

  • Stop all activity and rest.
  • Move to a cooler place.
  • Drink cold water or sports drinks.

Contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen or do not improve within an hour.

If you're with someone who has heat exhaustion, seek immediate medical help if they are confused or distressed, lose consciousness, or can't drink it. If your core body temperature as measured by a rectal thermometer — it gets to 104 ° F (40 ° C) or higher, they need cooling immediate and urgent medical attention.

Causes

The heat of the body combined with the environment of heat results in what is called the temperature of your body. This is his body, the internal temperature. Your body needs to regulate the gain of heat in the heat or loss of heat in cold weather to maintain a body temperature that is typical for you. The average temperature is approximately 98.6 ° F (37 ° C).

When the body cannot cool itself

In hot weather, your body is cooled mainly by sweating. The evaporation of perspiration regulates the temperature of your body. But when you do vigorous exercise or otherwise over-exertion in the hot and humid weather, your body is less able to cool itself efficiently.

As a result, heat cramps can start in your body. Heat cramps are the mildest form of heat-related illness. The symptoms of heat cramps often include excessive sweating, fatigue, thirst, muscle cramps. Timely treatment can prevent heat cramps of progressing to more severe heat illnesses such as heat exhaustion.

The intake of liquids or sports drinks that have electrolytes (Gatorade, Powerade, others) may help treat heat cramps. Other treatments for heat cramps include in cooler temperatures, such as air-conditioning or in the shade and rest.

Other causes

In addition to a warm climate and vigorous physical activity, other causes of heat exhaustion include:

  • Dehydration, which decreases the body's ability to sweat and maintain a normal temperature.
  • The use of Alcohol, which can affect the body's ability to regulate its temperature.
  • Sheltering, especially in clothing that does not allow the sweat to evaporate easily.

Risk factors

Any person can get the disease by the heat, but certain factors may increase your sensitivity to heat. They include:

  • Young age or old age. Infants and children under 4 years of age and adults older than 65 years are at greater risk of heat exhaustion. The body's ability to regulate its temperature is not fully developed in children. In older adults, the illness, medications, or other factors may affect the body's ability to control the temperature.
  • Certain medications. Some medicines may affect the ability of your body to stay hydrated and to respond properly to the heat. These include some drugs used to treat high blood pressure and problems of the heart (beta blockers, diuretics (water pills) to reduce the symptoms of allergy (antihistamines), calm down (tranquillisers), or to reduce psychiatric symptoms, such as delusions (antipsychotics). Some illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines, can increase the temperature of your body.
  • Obesity. Excess weight can affect the body's ability to regulate its temperature and make your body to retain more heat.
  • The sudden changes of temperature. If you are not used to the heat, is more susceptible to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion. The body needs time to get used to higher temperatures. Traveling to a warm climate to a cold beer, or you live in an area that experiences an early wave of heat that can put you at risk of a heat-related illness. The body has not had the opportunity to get used to the high temperatures.
  • A high heat index. The heat index is a single value of the temperature that is considered the way in which both the outside temperature and the humidity makes you feel. When the humidity is high, sweat can not evaporate easily, and your body has more trouble cooling the same. This makes them more prone to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. When the heat index is 91 F (33 C) or more, you must take precautions to keep cool.

Complications

If heat exhaustion is not treated, it may lead to heat stroke. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition. This occurs when the core body temperature reaches 104 ° F (40 ° C) or higher. Heat stroke requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage to the brain and other vital organs that may result in death.

Prevention

There are a lot of things that you can do to prevent heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses. When the temperatures rise, remember:

  • Wear light clothing. Using too much clothing or clothing that fits tightly not allowing your body to cool properly.
  • Protect against sunburn. Sunburn affects your body's ability to cool itself. Protect yourself outdoors with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. The use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours. Re-apply more often if you're swimming or perspiring.
  • Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated helps your body sweat and maintain a normal body temperature.
  • Be careful with certain medications. Watch for heat-related problems if you are taking any medications that may affect the ability of your body to stay hydrated and to respond to the heat.
  • Never leave anyone in a parked vehicle.This is a common cause of heat-related deaths in children. When parked in the sun, the temperature in your car can rise 20 degrees Fahrenheit (11 C) in 10 minutes. It is not safe to leave anyone in a parked car in warm or heat, even if the windows are cracked or the car is in the shade. Keep parked cars blocked to prevent a child from within.
  • Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day. If you can't avoid strenuous activity in hot weather, drink fluids, and take frequent rest breaks in a cool place. Try to schedule exercise or physical work for the coolest moments of the day, as early in the morning or at night.
  • Make it a habit. Limit the amount of time devoted to working or exercising in the heat until you are conditioned to do this. People who don't use the heat are especially susceptible to heat-related illnesses. It may take several weeks for your body to adjust to hot weather.
  • Be careful if you are at higher risk. If you take medications or have a condition that increases the risk of heat-related problems, such as a prior history of heat illness, be cautious. Avoid the heat and to act immediately if you experience symptoms of overheating. If you take part in a strenuous sporting event or activity in a hot climate, make sure there are no medical services ready in case of an emergency heat.

Never leave anyone in a parked vehicle. This is a common cause of heat-related deaths in children. When parked in the sun, the temperature in your car can rise 20 degrees Fahrenheit (11 C) in 10 minutes.

It is not safe to leave anyone in a parked car in warm or heat, even if the windows are cracked or the car is in the shade. Keep parked cars blocked to prevent a child from within.

Diagnosis

If you need medical attention due to heat exhaustion, the personal doctor that can take your rectal temperature to confirm the diagnosis and to rule out the possibility of a heat stroke. If your health care team to suspect that your heat exhaustion may have progressed to the heat, you may need additional tests, including:

  • A blood test to check for low levels of sodium or potassium and the content of gases in the blood.
  • A urine test, to check the concentration and the composition of the urine. This test can also check your kidney function, which can be affected by heat stroke.
  • Muscle function tests to check for rhabdomyolysis serious damage to your muscle tissue.
  • X-rays and other imaging tests, to check the damage to his internal organs.

Treatment

In most cases, you can treat heat exhaustion himself by doing the following:

  • Rest in a cool place. Entering a building with air conditioning is the best. If that's not an option, find a place with shade or sit in front of a fan. Rest on your back with the legs elevated above the level of the heart.
  • Drink cold liquids. Stick to water or sports drinks. Do not take alcoholic beverages, which can contribute to dehydration.
  • Try cooling measures. If possible, take a cool shower, soaking in a bath of cold water or put towels soaked in cool water on your skin. If you are outdoors and not near refugio, soaking in a cool pond or flow can help to bring your temperature.
  • Loosen clothing. Remove any unnecessary clothing, and make sure that your clothing is lightweight and non-binding.

If you don't start to feel better within an hour of use of these treatment measures, seek immediate medical attention.

For cooling your body to a normal temperature, your health care team can use these stroke treatment techniques:

  • Dip them in cold water. A bath of cold or ice water has been shown to be the most effective way of quickly reducing the core temperature of the body. The faster you can receive by immersion in cold water, the lower the risk of organ damage, and death.
  • The use of cooling techniques of evaporation. If cold water immersion is not an option, health care professionals may try to lower the temperature of your body using an evaporation method. Cooling water is sprayed on his body, while the hot air is encouraged you more. This causes the water to evaporate and cool your skin.
  • Pack with ice packs and cooling blankets. Another method to lower your temperature is to wrap you in a special cooling the blanket, and apply ice packs to the groin, the neck, the back and the underarms.
  • Give medicines to stop their trembling. If the treatments to lower the temperature of your body makes you shiver, your doctor may give you a muscle relaxant, such as benzodiazepines. The tremor increases your body temperature, making the treatment less effective.
Symptoms and treatment of Heat exhaustion