Heat Illnesses – prevention, protection, and recovery

Jim O’Dell, EHS/Wellness Manager

How HotHot is it?

Hot Stats

• + - 400 deaths are attributed to excessive natural heat annually in USA– 6% children less than 4 years old– 41% persons aged >75 years– 73% all aged deaths occurred among males – these deaths are preventable

Hot Sport Facts

• Heat fatalities in sport…– 5 sport deaths in America 1931-1959– 103 deaths in America 1960-2000

National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research

Falling Victim to Heat

• Know the signs and symptoms of the various types of heat-related illnesses

• Excessive thirst• Sleepiness or fatigue• Dry mouth• Muscle weakness or cramps• Headache• Dizziness or lightheadedness• Sweating profusely• No sweat; hot red skin

Three Major Heat Illnesses

• Heat and humidity can cause several types of heat-related illnesses. The three major illnesses are: – heat cramps– heat exhaustion– heat stroke

Heat and Humidity?

• The Heat Index• Combines air temperature and relative humidity to

determine how hot it actually feels– Relative humidity is high, evaporation rate of the water is

reduced – Heat is removed at a lower rate, causing it to retain more

heat than in dry air

• Higher combinations of heat and humidity make the body more susceptible to heat-related illnesses

Heat Index TableCategory Heat

Index Possible heat illness

Extreme Danger

130 F or higher Heat stroke or sun stroke likely.

Danger 105 – 129 F

Sun / Heat stroke, muscle cramps, and/or heat exhaustion likely. Heatstroke possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity.

Extreme Caution

90 – 105 F

Sun / Heat stroke, muscle cramps, and/or heat exhaustion possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity.

Caution 80 – 90 F Fatigue possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity.

Working Challenge• Consistently and safely meet requirements for

performance daily, weekly, annually and length of career

• Develop endurance to match the daily demand of 8 – 12 hours, especially in the heat

• Develop endurance required to recover after working day after day of 8 – 12 hour shifts

• Be capable of strong aerobic endurance, body flexibility and balanced body strength

• Develop healthy habits including proper hydration levels

Your Body is Fluid

• Roughly 70 percent of your body is made up of water

• Thirsty? Amount of water in your body is reduced by one percent

• You can lose up to 10 cups of water daily by sweating, breathing and eliminating waste

Responding to Heat

• The body normally cools itself by sweating• During hot weather several factors can affect

the body’s response– high humidity: sweat will not evaporate as

quickly, preventing the body from quickly releasing heat

– other factors: age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, poor circulation, sunburn, caffeine

Falling Victim to Heat

• Know the signs and symptoms of the various types of heat-related illnesses

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/undertheweather/details/826/1139160

• Excessive thirst• Sleepiness or fatigue• Dry mouth• Muscle weakness or cramps• Headache• Dizziness or lightheadedness• Sweating profusely• No sweat; hot red skin

Signs & Symptoms

Heat Cramps• Muscular pain and spasms due to heavy

exertion • Loss of water and salt through sweating • Usually occurs during outdoor and/or

strenuous activities• Can occur even when it does not seem very

hot or humid

• Leg cramps• Muscle spasms• Tightened abdomen• Weak, faint or dizzy• Possible nausea• Normal mental status

Heat Exhaustion• Fluid loss causing blood flow to decrease to

vital organs • Flu-like symptoms can occur hours after illness• Serious though not life threatening if identified

and treated properly • Without treatment, heat exhaustion can lead

to heat stroke

Signs & Symptoms

• Skin is cool and moist• Excessive perspiration• Pupils are dilated (large)• Body temp near normal• Strong headache• Weak, dizzy or faint• Disorientation • Dark and decreased urine

Heat Stroke• The most serious type of heat-related illness

that is LIFE THREATENING and requires IMMEDIATE care

• Occurs when the body’s heat regulating system fails

• Body temperatures raise to a point that brain damage and death may result, unless the body is cooled very quickly

Signs & Symptoms

• Skin is hot and dry• No sweating• Pupils are very small• Victim is confused or unable to think straight• Possible seizures• Body temperature is very high (can be as high as 105° F)

Care and Treatment

Heat Cramps• Move to a cooler location• Seek medical help if victim loses

consciousness • Drink plenty of fluids (water, juice, sport

drink)

Heat Exhaustion Get medical attention Move victim to a cool area Lay victim on their back and elevate feet 8-10

inches If conscious, give 8 oz of water every 15

minutes, supporting their head Cool by fanning or spraying with cool water

Heat Stroke Call 911 immediately Move victim to a cool area Loosen clothing Douse body with water Apply ice packs or wet clothes to neck,

armpits and groin

Another look

Preventing Heat-Related Emergencies

• Avoid long periods of direct sunlight • Use at least SPF 15 sunblock• Keep air circulating around your body • Lightweight, loosely fitting or wicking clothes • Eat light foods; heavy food digestion makes heat• Non-caffeinated fluids • Drink water or other electrolyte products • Never wait until you feel thirsty • A healthy person can drink up to three gallons (48

cups) of water per day!

Pay Attention to the Weather

Pre-Hydration

• 16-24 fluidounces of water consumed an hour before strenuous activity – then

• Non-caffeinated beverages during and after work or play with:

• 16 fluidounces of water every hour• Supplement water with 8 fluidounces of an

electrolyte replacement drink for sodium and potassium replenishment every 60-90 mins.

• Relying solely on sports drinks can be harmful

Post-Hydration

• Thoroughly hydrate at least twice a day • After activity, thoroughly quench your thirst. This

should also take about two to three glasses of fluid• If plain water is too boring try a mix of orange juice

and water (3 parts O.J. to 1 part water) or various 100-percent fruit juices also diluted with water

• Low-fat chocolate milk is great for recovery. Protein, carbs and other nutrients, hastens quick muscle recovery. Try a 50-50 mix of chocolate soy milk and one-percent low-fat milk

Who’s your Pal?

• Monitor condition of your friends and/or co-workers when working in the heat

• Have someone check on you twice a day when working in a heat wave

• Check on elderly twice per day

• Heat-induced illnesses can cause confusion and loss of consciousness

Ready for the Heat?

• Dress in light colored, lightweight clothing• Drink lots of non-caffeinated beverages• Eat lighter meals more often• Keep cool in air-conditioned rooms as you

can. Use your break times wisely• At the first sign of a heat-related illness, stop

all activity, cool down, and provide proper treatment

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