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DeutschHeat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is one condition on the spectrum of raised body temperature derived from a heat illness. Other heat illnesses include heat cramps and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion is caused by the raising of a person's body temperature from either environmental conditions or by exertion. A raised internal body temperature can induce high amounts of perspiration out of the body. Which can lead to the loss of water, salt, and electrolytes.[1][2]
Prevention of any heat-related illness includes drinking adequate fluids, avoiding exercise in hot weather, avoiding medications that can lead to heat exhaustion, and removing or loosening clothing.[1][2][3]
Signs and symptoms[edit]
Common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
- skin tingling
- nausea
- dizziness
- irritability
- headache
- fatigue
- vomiting
- high body temperature
- and excessive sweating.[1][4]
These symptoms may also fall under other heat-related illnesses like heat stroke, heat cramps, and heat syncope. Heat stroke is a severe condition as heat-related illness and falls closely to similar symptoms to heat exhaustion. Symptoms of heat stroke that differ from heat exhaustion include hot but dry skin, flushed coloration of the skin, and central nervous system dysfunction. Heat stroke is much more severe in nature in comparison to heat exhaustion in that it can lead to multi-organ failure and death.[5]
Causes[edit]
Common causes of heat exhaustion include:[6]
- 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.[7]
Especially during physical exertion, risk factors for heat exhaustion include:[6]
- 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[7]
Diagnosis[edit]
A diagnosis of heat exhaustion most commonly is diagnosed by medical professionals with various physical examinations. Through examination a patient would have their temperature checked and question about your recent activity.[1] If the medical professionals suspect a patients heat exhaustion has progressed into heat stroke they may then lead with these varying tests to verify;
- Blood test, medical professionals when conducting a blood test look for low blood sugar or potassium. They may also look for the presence of unwanted gases in a patients blood.[1][2]
- Urinalysis, an urinalysis or urine test is a test to measure color, clarity, pH levels, glucose concentration, and protein levels.[8] The test additionally can check a patients kidney function, which is common to be affected by classic heat stroke.[2]
- Muscle function tests, medical professionals use muscle function tests to check for rhabdomyolysis. Which is severe damage to a persons skeletal muscle tissue.[9]
Treatment[edit]
First aid[edit]
First aid for heat exhaustion includes:[4][7]
- 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[edit]
If an individual with heat exhaustion receives medical treatment, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), doctors, and/or nurses may also:[10]
- Provide supplemental oxygen
- Administer intravenous fluids and electrolytes if they are too confused to drink and/or are vomiting
Prognosis[edit]
If left untreated, heat exhaustion may progress to heat stroke.[4]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e "Heat Exhaustion: Symptoms & Treatment". Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ a b c d Kenny, Glen P.; Wilson, Thad E.; Flouris, Andreas D.; Fujii, Naoto (2018). "Heat exhaustion". Handbook of Clinical Neurology. 157: 505–529. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-64074-1.00031-8. ISSN 0072-9752. PMID 30459023.
- ^ Lipman, Grant S.; Eifling, Kurt P.; Ellis, Mark A.; Gaudio, Flavio G.; Otten, Edward M.; Grissom, Colin K. (December 2013). "Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Heat-Related Illness". Wilderness & Environmental Medicine. 24 (4): 351–361. doi:10.1016/j.wem.2013.07.004.
- ^ a b c Jacklitsch, Brenda L. (June 29, 2011). "Summer Heat Can Be Deadly for Outdoor Workers". NIOSH: Workplace Safety and Health. Medscape and NIOSH.
- ^ Epstein, Yoram; Yanovich, Ran (2019-06-20). Longo, Dan L. (ed.). "Heatstroke". New England Journal of Medicine. 380 (25): 2449–2459. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1810762. ISSN 0028-4793.
- ^ a b "Heat Injury and Heat Exhaustion". www.orthoinfo.aaos.org. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. July 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke". www.nhs.uk. National Health Service of the United Kingdom. June 11, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
- ^ McPherson, Richard A.; Pincus, Matthew R. (2017-04-05). Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN 978-0-323-41315-2.
- ^ "What is Rhabdo? | NIOSH | CDC". www.cdc.gov. 2023-02-09. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ Mistovich, Joseph J.; Karren, Keith J.; Hafen, Brent (July 18, 2013). Prehospital Emergency Care (10 ed.). Prentice Hall. ISBN 978-0133369137.