Environmental Exposure (Hot, Hyperthermia)

Description

Exposure to environmental heat can cause heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Heat stroke can cause heart and brain damage and result in death. The very young, very old, those with chronic illnesses, and the intoxicated are most susceptible.

Symptoms

Heat cramps cause: sweating, fatigue, muscle cramps, thirst. Heat exhaustion causes: headache, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, cool moist skin, dark urine. Heat stroke causes: confusion, fever, dry hot red skin, weak pulse, seizures, coma.

Tests

A history and physical exam will be performed. Blood tests are done to look for dehydration and organ damage from the heat. A head CT scan will be done for confusion.

Treatment

Depends on the severity of the heat illness. For heat cramps simply drinking more fluids and getting out of the heat may only be needed. Other more serious symptoms may require: intravenous fluids, aggressive cooling measures, intubation, and correction of other metabolic abnormalities.

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