Most of us regard the heat as an annoying part of summer activities, something to complain about rather than worry about.
However, heat can be more than just an annoyance; it can have dangerous effects. From dehydration and nausea to overheating, heat illness can become anything from a mild annoyance to something life-threatening.
Knowing what heat illness is and how to prevent it can make the difference between a fun day and a trip to the hospital. Fortunately, with a few simple steps, heat can go from being a pressing concern back to a mild annoyance.
What Is Heat Illness
Heat illness occurs when high temperatures, humidity, and/or physical exertion overwhelm the body’s normal cooling methods, leading to rises in core body temperature.
Groups most at risk for heat-related health issues include older adults and young children, people dealing with chronic conditions, outdoor workers, and people with low-income or poorly air-conditioned housing.
Levels of Heat Illness
While heat illness includes conditions like heat rash, heat edema (mild swelling in the extremities due to heat), and heat syncope (temporary fainting or near-fainting due to heat exposure), heat illness has three main forms. Heat cramps are painful muscle cramps or spasms because of heavy sweating, leading to electrolyte loss.
Heat exhaustion is more severe than heat cramps, with symptoms including heavy sweating, weakness and fatigue, dizziness, nausea, cool and clammy skin, and a fast, weak pulse. Additionally, body temperature is usually elevated but is still below 104°F. Like heat cramps, it is common among outdoor workers or people not acclimatized to heat.
If not treated, heat exhaustion can quickly turn into heat stroke, the most dangerous heat illness. While there are fewer cases than heat exhaustion, it is a medical emergency and should be treated urgently. Symptoms include a body temperature above 104°F, a rapid pulse, and confusion. While hot and dry skin is a classic sign of heat stroke in older patients, younger people can experience exertional heat stroke, characterized by profuse sweating and wet skin. In its most severe forms, it also leads to confusion, slurred speech, seizures, and a loss of consciousness.
Most heat-related urgent care or non-hospitalized ED cases involve heat exhaustion, with spikes in June and July, and younger adults, men, and outdoor workers account for most cases.
How To Treat Heat Illness
Heat cramps and exhaustion can be treated fairly easily. Rehydrating and replenishing electrolytes are the most important steps, as well as assisting the person to a cool area and helping them remove any tight or restrictive clothing. Massages can help with heat cramps and taking a cool shower or wiping down with the patient cool, wet cloths can help relieve the symptoms of heat exhaustion. If the symptoms do not respond to treatment and/or begins vomiting, then the patient must go to an urgent care, since vomiting prevents rehydration, increasing their risk for heat stroke. Additionally, the patient’s airway and breathing should be assessed; heat stroke often causes breathing to be rapid and shallow. The patient’s pulse should also be checked for signs of low blood pressure.
However, if the patient begins to experience an altered mental state, such as confusion, slurred, or combativeness, 911 should be contacted immediately. Heat stroke can be life-threatening and can lead to organ or brain damage, especially if at or above 105 °F or with delayed treatment. For heat stroke, standard treatment requires that the patient should be submerged in cold or ice water. However, if submersion is not possible, ice packs or cold, wet cloths should be applied to the neck, groin, and armpits to quickly cool the patient.
Heat Illness Prevention Tips
To prevent heat illness, it is essential to hydrate proactively and remain in a cool environment if possible. Checking the heat index, which combines measurements of air temperature and relative humidity to determine how hot it can feel to the human body, is also helpful for people to decide the risks of heat illnesses and prepare accordingly.
While consuming water is necessary, electrolyte replacement is also an important but often-forgotten part of hydration. While heavy sweating and dehydration are obvious, overhydration with plain water can dilute blood sodium. Additionally, medical conditions like kidney issues, adrenal problems, or other chronic illnesses, and particular medications like certain medications, laxatives, or diuretics can all lead to low levels of electrolytes.
Mild symptoms of low electrolyte levels include muscle cramps or spasms, fatigue, dizziness, headache, nausea, irregular heartbeat, and palpitations.
Consuming sports drinks, electrolyte packets or tablets, or solutions like Liquid I.V. easily restores electrolyte levels.
Final Thoughts
For most of us, heat is simply an annoying backdrop to long summer days. However, heat illness can quickly turn your fun in the sun into a medical emergency.
However, with some simple planning, the weather can go back to being a simple annoyance. Even small adjustments, such as stocking up on electrolyte mixers for drinks or bringing fans to outdoor events, can make a difference.
If you have any specific concerns about the effects of heat on your health, feel free to contact our office at 804-897-6140, so we can help you get back to enjoying your summer!