NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2018 - 15

SUMMER/ FALL 2018

Feature

HEAT EMERGENCIES
N

ormally, heat produced within the body
is brought to the skin surface by tiny
capillaries in the bloodstream, and escapes
to the cooler environment in three ways:
conduction, radiation, and convection.
When the temperature of the surrounding air equals or is greater than that of
the body, heat must be lost by a fourth
process: evaporation, when moisture or
sweat pulls from the body surface.

Treatment consists of moving the
patient to a cooler place, laying the person
flat on the floor and placing cold applications to the skin (conduction). Clothing
should be removed since exposing the
skin will facilitate loss of heat. The patient
usually recovers fairly quickly.

large amount of heat and body temperature
can become very high.
The skin is dry, red, and hot, in contrast
to the pale, moist skin of heat exhaustion.
The pulse is rapid and the patient may be
unconscious and remain so for a long period of time. This condition is very serious.

Heat cramps are seen in people who
engage in activity in a hot environment
Patients should be moved to a cool
and sweat a great deal. Cramps result place. Cold applications should be used
As air becomes more humid, vaporiza- from a loss of salt from the body which on the entire body by cold packs, spraying
tion from the body surface slows. A hot causes painful spasms especially in leg with cool water, or wrapping the patient
in constantly moistened sheets. The
day (radiation), with high humidity and and abdominal muscles.
patient should be placed in competent
no breeze (convection), furnishes an ideal
Treatment of the cramps is fluid and salt medical care as soon as possible. This
situation for heat retention and the following medical emergencies may occur: heat intake usually in the form of commercial is an emergency!
exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat stroke. electrolyte solutions such as Gatorade.
Gentle massage on the cramped muscles
It's much easier to prevent heat emergencies than to have to treat them. When
Heat exhaustion occurs in individuals can provide relief.
working in a hot environment, take frewho are active in hot environments. This
Heat stroke (or sun stroke) is especially quent rest periods for "cooling off." It is
condition of "near-fainting" is caused
by the pooling of blood in the lower common in elderly individuals who are extremely important to drink plenty of
extremities. When a person is standing exposed to hot surroundings for prolonged water to keep the body fluid volume at
or sitting, there can be an inadequate periods. This results in the storage of a normal or above normal levels.
flow of blood to the heart and brain.
Clinically the skin feels cold and clamHERBERT M. WEINMAN, M.D., M.B.A., is a family physician and CEO of
BCE Healthcare Advisors.
my, the person looks pale, the pulse is
weak, breathing is shallow, and loss of
consciousness can occur.

SYMPTOMS

DIAGNOSIS

TREATMENT

Painful spasms, especially in leg and
abdominal muscles, after engaging in
activity in a hot environment and sweating.

Heat
Cramps

Fluid and salt intake, usually in the form of
commercial electrolyte solutions such as
Gatorade. Gently massage cramped muscle.

Skin feels cold and clammy, the person
looks pale, the pulse is weak, breathing
is shallow, and loss of consciousness can
occur.

Heat
Exhaustion

Move to a cooler place, lay flat on floor, place
cold applications to skin (conduction). Remove
clothing to facilitate loss of heat. Patient
usually recovers fairly quickly.

Skin is dry, red, and hot, in contrast to
the pale, moist skin of heat exhaustion.
Pulse is rapid and the patient may be
unconscious and remain so for a long
period of time. This condition is very
serious.

Heat
Stroke

Move to a cool place. Cold applications should
be used on the entire body by cold packs,
spraying with cool water, or wrapping the
patient in constantly moistened sheets. Patient
should be placed in competent medical care as
soon as possible. This is an emergency!

N E PA

15

VITAL SIGNS



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2018

NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2018 - 1
NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2018 - 2
NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2018 - 3
NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2018 - 4
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