Samantha Mascarenhas ESC 150: summary 3

Prevention of Heat Illness

1-Oct-12

Heat Illnesses also known as heat disorders are very common. This illness is the result of the bodys inability to maintain its temperature, as it is overheated past its ability to cool itself safely (Disastersrus; NOAA) The bodys normal cooling system is designed to dissipate the heat through sweating or chemical (salt) changes when there has been too much sweating (NOAA). When the body has reached its maximum capacity for its self-sufficient process, the body temperature rises in direct proportion to the heat introduced from the surrounding environment (Disastersrus; NOAA). Severe increase in body temperatures can result in damage to the brain and/or other vital organs (Disastersrus). The condition for the bodys failure to cool itself when introduced to increasing temperatures is called hyperthermia (NOAA). When the body has reached a very high fever, it is said to be experiencing hyperpyrexia (Rampulla, 2012). Thus, unable to function with the loss of fluids and salts, the body begins its journey to developing one of the three main categories of heat illnesses. These are heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke (Rampulla, 2012). To a lesser extent, heat illnesses may include sun burn (NOAA) and heat rash (OSHA). In order from low to high severity, these conditions are sorted as sun burn, heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. It is imperative to all to notice that if sun burn is indeed present, it is time to get out of the sun to avoid further damage. In such a case, sun burn could be said to be a warning or indicator of the ever approaching limit of the bodys thermoregulatory controls (Rampulla, 2012). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have kindly and reasonably deduced strategic warnings to help inform the population of high temperature periods to be more vigilant in (NOAA). These warnings are to show the severity and likelihood of extreme heat environments: Excessive heat outlooks, excessive heat watches, and Excessive heat warnings/ advisories. Excessive heat outlooks are issued when the potential for such environments described above will occur in 3 to 7 days. This allows healthcare providers of all kinds to be prepared for the possibilities of heat disorders. Excessive heat watches on the other hand are issued when the situation may occur in less than 48 hours. This means that the possibilities have increased but is still uncertain. Again, this status allows for advanced preparations. Lastly, Excessive heat warnings/ advisories are issued when the occurrence is less than 36 hours away and is imminent or nearly so. This warning indicates to all that lives or properties are at risk. An advisory is minimal to warnings as, with caution, there is no certain threat to lives or properties.

Samantha Mascarenhas ESC 150: summary 3

Prevention of Heat Illness

1-Oct-12

Through heat related causes, approximately 175 Americans die yearly (Disastersrus). It is in actual fact the largest cause of weather related deaths; beating the combined deaths of lightening, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes (NOAA). From 1936 to 1975, nearly 20,000 died of heat and solar exposure in the United States (Disastersrus). The heat wave of 1980 alone killed 1,250 people (Disastersrus; NOAA), yet the heat wave of 1995 fared slightly better; slightly more than 700 deaths in Chicago. In the recently period between 1992 and 2006, 423 workers, both agricultural and non-agricultural, died from environmental heat (MMWR, 2008). Therefore it can be deduced that being out in the sun is not the only contributing factor to heat illnesses. The average annual death rate for crop workers is greater than those of civilian workers; 39 per 1000 versus 2 per 1000 in the U.S. Those at higher risks for accumulating immense heat are not conclusive to those confined to working in the sun. If a person falls under these categories, their risks for heat illnesses increase beyond those of the opposite demographic: The very poor (Rampulla, 2012) Socially isolated individuals Amount of exposure to the heat and concrete in hot summer periods Chronic illnesses Poor neighborhood residents Already sunburned Psoriasis Dehydration Alcoholism Mental illness Heart disease Elderly (65 years and up) Infants and children up to four years of age (Disastersrus) Frequent overexertion in work or exercise Overweight individuals Ill individuals or persons on certain medications

Some of these medications may include psychotropics (affects behavior or experience), tranquilizers, Parkinsons disease medications as they induce sweating (Disastersrus), diuretics (increase sweating) ethanol, stimulants etc. (Rampulla, 2012). Essentially, if the drug places the individual into any of the risk categories stated above, the risks will increase. If unsure of the mechanisms of a drug in particular, consult a doctor. There are, thankfully, many signs and symptoms that can indicate which level of heat illness is being experienced. Sun burns are recognized as painful red areas exposed to the sun (NOAA). In extreme instances there can be swelling, blisters, fever and headaches. Heat rashes are characterized as a skin irritation of red clusters of

Samantha Mascarenhas ESC 150: summary 3

Prevention of Heat Illness

1-Oct-12

pimples or small blisters (Disastersrus). Commonly found on the upper chest and neck, the groin, under the breasts and in elbow creases. Heat cramps can be felt as painful spasms in the abdomen or leg muscles. It is also linked to heavy sweating (NOAA). Heat exhaustion is also known for heavy sweating as well as weakness or ataxia (failure of muscular coordination). Unlike the previous, this illness is consistent with pale, cold, clammy skin with a thready to low pulse. There may be a normal temperature associated with normal systematic functions, but it is also known for the person to vomit or even faint with heat exhaustion. Lastly, heat stroke is by far the worst condition a person can develop. Heat strokes are indicative of body temperature exceeding 103 degrees. At this point, there is no sweat so the skin is hot and dry. Unlike heat exhaustion, this stroke will have a rapid pulse (tachycardia) and the person may succumb to unconsciousness. Have no worries, these conditions are all very preventable. As long as the following conditions are met, avoiding these illnesses is easy: Dont drink alcohol (Disastersrus; NOAA) Eat less proteins that involve high temperature processes for metabolism Dont take salt tablets unless advised to do so by a doctor Make sure all persons have exited the car before locking and leaving (NOAA) Check temperature of car and belt buckle before securing a child in one (NOAA) Spend the majority of time in air-conditioned places (Disastersrus; NOAA; NYC, 2012)
Ex. Library, mall, pool, cooling center

Wear lightweight clothes Avoid or limit strenuous activities (if needed, do so during cooler periods of the day) Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic/ caffeine fluids Check on others, especially if they are high risk individuals Invite others to share the cool if available Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even with the window down (it can be 80 outside and 123 inside)

Avoid the sun as much as possible Wear hats, sunglasses, sunscreen

If no A/C is available in your home (NYC, 2012):

Samantha Mascarenhas ESC 150: summary 3

Prevention of Heat Illness

1-Oct-12

Open house windows to let fresh air in if no A/C is available with a fan for circulation Buy/ fix A/C if possible Take cool baths but not a far range from room temperature Use shades or curtains to keep out the sun Avoid using heat producing appliances such as ovens

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration suggest you keep in mind 3 things at all times. That is to drink lots of water, rest often, and find shade whenever available (OSHA). For a company plan they suggest that when witnessing any signs of heat illnesses, that the person sips water, rest and are reported on his condition. Lastly the plan will be most efficient if all employees are knowledgeable of the general ideas surrounding these illnesses. For first Aid care of heat rashes, simply place the person in a cool, less humid environment keeping the rash dry with dusting powder if present (Disastersrus). For sun burns, cool the area(s) in a shower. Using soap may sting, but it will remove pore blocking oils to allow for natural cooling. Any blisters should be kept dry with sterile dressings and be noted to a doctor. The cramps can be subsided through gentle massages or pressure to the site. Give sips of water unless or until the person becomes nauseous. Heat exhaustion individuals must also be place in cool areas with wet cloths and light clothes for optimal external cooling; an A/C room would be ideal. Again, give sips of water unless or until the person becomes nauseous. If the person vomits, seek immediate medical care. Finally, as the heat stroke is a life threatening condition, emergency medical services must be notified as soon as possible. The best possible thing to do is to move the person to a cool place and begin cooling them externally through wet clothes or a cool bath. Remove all clothing so that they do not impair the cooling process any more than at current. Subsequently, fans and A/Cs are desired to aid in this process. More importantly, it is imperative that no fluids are given to them. At this point the body is already imbalanced with fluids and salts; there is no need to further complicate its survival mode.

Samantha Mascarenhas ESC 150: summary 3

Prevention of Heat Illness

Works Cited

1-Oct-12

Disastersrus. Disastersrus.org. Hazards- Heat Wave: A National Problem. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. http://www.disastersrus.org/emtools/heatwave/heatwave.htm Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). 2008. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Heat-Related Deaths Among Crop Workers --- United States, 19922006. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5724a1.htm National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), United States Department of Commerce. Heat wave: A Major Summer Killer. Web. 2 Oct. 2012. http://www.noaawatch.gov/themes/heat.php NYC Health. 2012. New York City of Health and Mental Hygiene. Heat Illness. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cd/cdheat.shtml OSHA. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Welcome to OSHAs Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/index.html Rampulla, Joseph. 2012. National Health Care for the Homeless Council. Hyperthermia & Heat Stroke: Heat-Related Conditions. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. http://www.nhchc.org/wpcontent/uploads/2012/02/Hyperthermia.pdf