Heat Injuries

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Heat Injuries

• By Cadet Emilie Cannady

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Different kinds of heat injuries.

• Heat cramps
• Heat Exhaustion
• Heat Stroke(Sunstroke)

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Heat Cramps

• Heat cramps are muscle cramps and spasms. They
  are caused by exercising and sweating in the
  heat. Heat cramps normally affect people that
  sweat a lot during strenuous activity. Low salt
  levels in the muscles cause painful cramps.

strenuous- characterized by or performed with
much energy or force, strenuous
exercise.-source www.google.com/definestrenuous
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Recognizing heat cramps

• Heat cramps normally happen in the arms, legs, or
  abdomen.

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What to do about heat cramps?

• Medical attention may not be necessary. If not
  take these steps
• Stop your activity and sit in a cool place.
• Drink clear juice or a sports drink.
• Do not return to strenuous activity for a few
  hours after the cramps have die down, because
  further activity may lead to heat exhaustion or
  heat stroke.
• Seek medical attention for heat cramps if they do
  not die down in 1 hour .
• If you have heart problems or are on a low sodium
  diet then get medical attention for heat cramps.

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Heat Exhaustion

• Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related
  illness that can develop after several days of
  exposure to high temperatures and an unbalanced
  replacement of fluids. Most people that get heat
  exhaustion are elderly people, people with high
  blood pressure, and people working or exercising
  in a hot environment.

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Recognizing Heat Exhaustion

• The skin may be cool and moist. The victim's
  pulse rate will be fast and weak. Breathing will
  be fast and shallow. If heat exhaustion is
  untreated, it may progress to heat stroke.
• Seek medical attention immediately if
• symptoms are severe
• the victim has heart problems or high blood
  pressure.
• Otherwise, help the victim to cool off, and seek
  medical attention if symptoms worsen or last
  longer than 1 hour.

• Warning signs of heat exhaustion include
• heavy sweating
• paleness
• muscle cramps
• tiredness
• weakness
• dizziness
• headache
• nausea or vomiting
• fainting

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What to do?

• Cooling measures that may be effective include
• cool, non-alcoholic beverages, as directed by
  your physician
• rest
• cool shower, bath, or sponge bath
• an air-conditioned environment
• Lightweight clothing

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Heat Stroke

• Heat stroke is a medical condition caused by the
  bodies temperature where the body's internal
  organs begin to shut down because of excessive
  heat.
• Heat stroke is a serious medical condition and
  requires immediate medical care.
• Heat Stroke has 3 different names sunstroke,
  hyperthermia, and of course heat stroke.

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What are the symptoms of heat stroke?

• Everyone may have different symptoms.
• The most common kind of symptoms and signs of
  heat stroke are
• high body temperature
• the absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed
  dry skin
• rapid pulse
• difficulty breathing
• strange behavior
• hallucinations
• confusion
• agitation
• disorientation
• seizures
• coma

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What to do for heat stroke?

• Victims of heat stroke must receive immediate
  treatment to avoid permanent organ damage.
• First you have to cool the victim. Get the victim
  to a shady area. Remove their clothing. Apply
  cool water to the skin (for example you may spray
  the victim with cool water from a garden hose).
  Fan the victim to promote sweating and
  evaporation. Place ice packs under armpits and
  groin.

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What to do for heat stroke?(cont.)

• The most important measures to prevent heat
  strokes are to avoid becoming dehydrated.
• Also to avoid vigorous physical activities in
  hot and humid weather. If you have to perform
  physical activities in hot weather, drink plenty
  of fluids like water and Gatorade.
• Be sure to avoid alcohol, coffee, and tea which
  may lead to dehydration.
• Take frequent breaks to hydrate yourself.
• Make sure to wear hats, light colored, and light
  and loose clothes.

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Water

• You need water to be hydrated and to stay a
  live. You really need water because if you are
  out at a activity then you need a lot of water.
  You will need lots of water so you dont get any
  heat injuries.
• Did you know that if the temperature is over 90
  degrees, you should drink as much as a quart of
  water per hour?

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• Questions?