Heat Emergencies Learning Center

Definition

Heat emergencies fall into three categories of increasing severity: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.

Alternative Names

Heatstroke

Considerations

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.

Causes

The following are common causes of heat emergencies:

• Alcohol use
• Dehydration
• Heart disease
• High temperatures or humidity
• Medications such as diuretics, neuroleptics, phenothiazines, and anticholinergics
• Prolonged or excessive exercise
• Sweat gland problems
• Too much clothing

Symptoms

The early symptoms of heat illness include:

• Profuse sweating
• Fatigue
• Thirst
• Muscle cramps

Later symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Headache
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Cool, moist skin
• Dark urine

The symptoms of heatstroke include:

• Fever (temperature above 104 °F)
• Irrational behavior
• Extreme confusion
• Dry, hot, and red skin
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Rapid, weak pulse
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

First Aid

1. Have the person lie down in a cool place. Raise the person's feet about 12 inches.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. For muscle cramps, give beverages as above and massage affected muscles gently, but firmly, until they relax.
5. If the person shows signs of shock (bluish lips and fingernails and decreased alertness), starts having seizures, or loses consciousness, call 911 and give first aid as needed.