What are Heat-Related Emergencies?
Heat-related emergencies occur when a person's body is
unable to cool itself through sweating and heat loss into the air. It is most
common when a person becomes dehydrated, and there is high temperature with
high humidity and no breeze. The people most at risk are those who work or
exercise outdoors in the heat, such as athletes, laborers, and soldiers, or
those who have poor tolerance to heat, such as the elderly, the very young,
alcoholics, or people who are obese or have medical problems.
It's key to recognize a heat-related emergency and
treat it before it becomes life-threatening. There are 3 types of heat-related
emergencies, each heat-related condition is progressively more serious.
- Heat Cramps:
Painful muscle cramps in the abdomen, arms and legs, usually during
strenuous activity; heavy sweating.
- Treatment
of Heat Cramps:
- Stop
activity and move to a cool location
- Drink
sports drink or juice, or water if the others are not available.
- Gently
stretch and massage muscles.
- Heat Exhaustion:
Sweating; thirst; pale, cool skin; weakness; headache; dizziness; nausea;
vomiting; muscle cramps. Develops when you ignore early signs of
heat-related emergency or illness. Condition can worsen quickly
- Treatment
of Heat Exhaustion:
- Stop
activity and lie down in a cool location
- Remove
clothing.
- Cool
the person (cool water bath, spray, fan)
- Drink
sports drink or juice, or water if the others are not available.
- Heat Stroke: The
body can no longer control its temperature; the body temperature rises
rapidly. This is a life-threatening emergency.
- Signs
and Symptoms of Heat Stroke:
- High
body temperature.
- Dry
or moist, flushed skin.
- Confusion,
dizziness.
- Slurred
speech.
- Seizures.
Severe headache. Fast breathing and pulse.
- Unresponsiveness.
- Treatment
of Heat Stroke:
- Call
9-1-1 (activate EMS).
- Quickly
cool the victim by immersing in water up to neck; spraying, sponging or
showering with cool water; placing ice packs against the groin, armpits
and sides of the neck.
