Heat Illness

Heat Related Illnesses

Heat illnesses are very easily prevented. To avoid a heat related illness, always carry and drink enough fluids. This can not be overstated! In the Arizona desert in summer, if you are thirsty it is too late. You must keep drinking! Always carry plenty of water, it's the
one thing you can bring with you that is guaranteed to save your life. Prescription and other drugs can increase your chances of a heat illness. If you are on an amphetamine, phenothiazine or anticholinergic you may want to avoid outdoor summer activities or take extra precautions. Alcohol use dehydrates you, do not mix alcohol with physical outdoor activities. Wear a hat that shields your head from the sun and wear light, loose clothing.  Do not remove clothes when you get hot! Your clothes block the sun from your skin, removing your clothes exposes your skin to the sun and your body will heat up and dry out faster.

Early symptoms of a heat related illness are:

• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea
• Profuse sweating
• Thirst
• Weakness
• Light headedness

Later symptoms are:

• Cool, moist skin
• Dilated pupils
• Headache
• Pale skin
• Irrational behavior
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Unconsciousness

In most cases, the first problem will be muscle cramps caused by loss of salt from heavy sweating. This is the first real sign from your body that something major is wrong. If untreated, cramps will lead to heat exhaustion, which is caused by dehydration. If heat exhaustion goes untreated, you will transition to heat stroke, which
will cause you to go into shock and can cause brain damage and/or death.

Heat stroke is when the body can no longer cool itself, usually you will stop sweating.  Once you go into heat stroke, it only takes minutes before permanent damage is done to your body and brain.

Symptoms of heat stroke are:

• Dry, hot, red skin
• Fever above 102° (could be 108° or higher )
• Dark urine
• Extreme confusion
• Rapid / shallow breathing
• Rapid / weak pulse
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

Treatment:

1. Remove the victim from the heat and elevate their feet. Removing them from the heat may be difficult, at least get them in the shade and put something between them and the ground (if you haven't noticed, the ground gets very hot in Arizona).
2. Apply cool wet clothes, or direct water, to the victims skin and fan them. If possible, place cold compresses on the victim's neck, groin and arm pits.
3. Stop cooling the victim when their body temperature drops below 102°, you could cause hypothermia.
4. Give the victim beverages (such as Gatorade) to sip slowly. About a half cup every 15 minutes. If they drink too fast they will vomit. Water will suffice, but salt water or a sports drink is better.
5. If the victim starts having seizures, protect them from injury.
6. Do not underestimate heat illness, get medical help ASAP!

DO NOTS!

• DO NOT give the victim medication
• DO NOT give the victim salt tablets
• DO NOT give the victim liquids with alcohol or caffeine
• DO NOT give the victim anything by mouth if they are unconscious

No one thinks it can happen to them, but it can. Cory Stringer, all pro tackle for the Minnesota Vikings, was in a summer work out with the team last year (2001) when he died of heat stroke. He left the field three times to vomit before falling unconscious and dying. He ignored all the symptoms, as did his trainers and coaches.

Be safe, drink lots of water!