Types of Heat Reactions

• There are 3 main reactions to hot temperatures and heat waves.
• Heatstroke or Sunstroke (serious). Symptoms are hot, flushed skin with fever greater than 105° F (40.5° C). More than 50% of people with heatstroke do not sweat. Heatstroke can cause confusion, coma or shock. It is a life-threatening emergency. It has a high death rate, if not treated quickly.
• Heat Exhaustion. Symptoms are pale skin, lots of sweating, and nausea. Dizziness, fainting, or weakness can also be signs. May have a mild fever 100 - 102° F (37.8 - 39° C) for a short time. But, most of the time, there is no fever. Most of these symptoms are caused by dehydration from sweating. A person can progress from heat exhaustion to heatstroke. So, all patients with severe symptoms (such as fainting) need to be seen now. Mild symptoms (such as dizziness) can be treated at home with fluids and rest. But, if symptoms don't go away with treatment, these patients also need to be seen.
• Heat Cramps. Symptoms are severe muscle cramps in the legs (calf or thigh muscles) and stomach. No fever. Tightness or spasms of the hands may occur. After the patient drinks fluids and cools down, he or she will feel better. All symptoms should go away in a few hours.

Causes of Heat Reactions

• All 3 reactions are caused by exposure to high temps, often with high humidity.
• Exertion. During hot weather, hard work or sports can cause heat production to exceed heat loss.
• Dehydration. Sweating during hot weather can cause sweat loss to exceed fluid intake. Not drinking enough fluids then limits sweating and increases the risk of heat reactions.
• Heat waves. The first heat wave of the summer can cause heat problems. It takes 8 to 10 days for you to become used to high summer temps. This sudden change in temperature can also happen on vacations.
• Being indoors without air-conditioning during heat waves is the main cause of heat stroke in the elderly.
• Health and risk factors. The elderly have a lower ability to sweat. Obese people have a lower ability to give off heat. People with heart or lung disease are less able to handle heat stress.

When to Call for Heat Exposure and Reactions

Care Advice for Heat Exposure

Drink Lots of Fluids:

• All the symptoms of heat reactions get better once you replace fluids.
• Type of Fluid. Give the patient as much cold water as he or she will drink until feels better.
• If you have a sports drink (such as Gatorade), give it instead. Sports drinks contain water, salt and sugar.
• How Much. Start with 3 cups (24 ounces or 720 mL). Then give 1 cup (240 mL) every 15 minutes for the next 1-2 hours.
• Urine Color. The urine color can show you if you are drinking enough fluids. Dark yellow urine means mild dehydration. Clear or light yellow urine means the patient is drinking enough fluids.

Heat Cramps - What You Should Know:

• Heat cramps are the most common reaction to heat exposure. They are never serious. Sometimes, they can be an early warning sign of heat exhaustion.
• The cramps happen in the muscles that were working the hardest.
• They can be very painful.
• They mean that the body needs rest and more liquids and salt.
• Heat cramps should stop in 1 to 2 hours after lost fluids are replaced.

Heat Exhaustion:

• Put the patient in a cool place. Have him or her lie down with the feet elevated.
• Remove clothes, except for underwear, so the body surface can give off heat.
• Sponge the body surface with cool water. Make the water as cold as tolerated without causing shivering.
• Weakness should go away in 2 to 3 hours after lost fluids are replaced.

Dizziness - What You Should Know:

• Dizziness and weakness can be caused by mild dehydration. This happens from all the sweating that happens when hot.
• Dizziness should go away in 1 to 2 hours after the lost fluids are replaced.
• Mild dehydration can also cause nausea. It should go away after drinking enough fluids.

Fever - What You Should Know:

• The body can get overheated from activity when it's hot outdoors. The temperature should come down to normal after drinking fluids and resting. This may take 1 or 2 hours.
• Fluids: first, have the patient drink some liquids.
• Cool Bath: second, take a cool bath or shower for 5 minutes. Cool means less than body temperature. Reason: brings down the temperature faster.
• No Meds: fever medicines are of no value for this type of fever.

Salty Food:

• After the patient drinks 2 or 3 glasses of water, offer some salty foods. Potato chips or pretzels are helpful.
• Don't give salt tablets. Reason: they slow down the absorption of water and may cause vomiting.

Rest - Lie Down:

• Rest in a cool place with a fan until feeling better.

Prevention of Heat Reactions:

• Drink more water. When working outside or exercising in hot weather, drink plenty of cool water. This helps prevent dehydration. For adults, this means at least 8 ounces (240 mL) every 15 to 30 minutes. Water is the best liquid for replacing lost sweat. Very little salt is lost.
• Sports drinks. Most often, special sports drinks do not work better than water. But, they are helpful if you are working out for longer than an hour. If that is the case, replace 1 water drink per hour with a sports drink.
• Take water breaks. Do this every 15 minutes and in the shade. Drink some water even if you're not thirsty. Thirst can be delayed until a person is almost dehydrated.
• Avoid salt tablets. They slow down stomach emptying and delay the absorption of fluids.
• Dress cool. Wear a single layer of lightweight clothing. Change it if it becomes wet with sweat.
• Exercise smart. Physical activity in hot weather should be increased slowly.
• Sports coaches suggest that exercise sessions be shorter and easier when it's hot. This means when the temperature is over 82°F (28°C). Also, this is very important if the humidity is high.
• Stay cool. During heat waves, spend as much time as you can inside with air-conditioning. Electric fans also help. Slow down. It takes at least a week to get used to hot summer temps.
• Limit hot tub time. When using a hot tub, limit use to 15 minutes. Use a "buddy" system in case a heat reaction suddenly occurs.
• Do not use a hot tub if you have a fever. Also, do not use them right after hard work or sports. The body needs to get rid of heat.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Vomiting keeps from drinking
• Signs of dehydration occur
• Muscle cramps last more than 4 hours
• Fever goes higher than 104°F (40.0°C)
• Fever lasts more than 2 hours
• You think the patient needs to be seen
• The patient gets worse

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.




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