Emma-Medical+Consequences


 * Medical consequences in Relation to Heat Stress**


 * [|Heat Stroke Video] -**

Generally humans can control their internal temperature in the heat by sweating. However under extreme heat and humidity conditions the body cannot keep up and will suffer from heat stress. The elderly and young children, as well as those with chronic respiratory and heart conditions are more susceptible to heat induced injury.
 * How does heat affect the body?**

Dizziness, weakness, fainting, nausea, and headache. Onset while working in a high heat/high humidity/poor ventilation environment and sweating heavily. Infants, the elderly, and the unacclimatized may experience onset at rest. Cold, clammy, skin; ashen pallor. Dry tongue; thirst. Vital signs within normal limits, although the pulse may be rapid and the diastolic blood pressure (that’s the bottom number; the pressure when the heart isn’t contracting) may be low. Normal or slightly elevated body temperature.
 * The signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion are:**

High body temperature. Decreased level of consciousness. Change in behavior. Not sweating in a hot environment. Skin may be red or pale, depending on whether vasodilation has shut down yet. Signs of shock: elevated heart rate and breathing; decreased blood pressure.
 * Signs and symptoms of Heat Stroke:**

1. Dress lightly- no heavy clothing or dark colors 2. Stay INdoors during the hottest parts of the day 3. aviod vigorous exercise while in the heat 4. Drink plenty of fluids especially water and sports drinks- avoid caffeinated beverages 5. Always be aware of the heat stress symptoms and move into cooler areas when noticed
 * How To Prevent Heat Stroke**

1.Heat edema- swelling 2. Heat rashes-tiny red spots on the skin 3.Heat cramps- sharp pains in the muscles 4.Heat exhaustion - caused by loss of body water and salt through excessive sweating. 5.Heat syncope - heat-induced giddiness and fainting induced by temporarily insufficient flow of blood to the brain while a person is standing 6.Heat stroke and hyperpyrexia-complete or partial loss of consciousness
 * Other Ilnesses caused by Heat Exposure**

-->Certain kidney, liver, heart, digestive system, central nervous system and skin illnesses are thought by some researchers to be linked to long-term heat exposure. However, the evidence supporting these associations is not conclusive. -->Chronic heat exhaustion, sleep disturbances and susceptibility to minor injuries and sicknesses have all been attributed to the possible effects of prolonged exposure to heat. --> Possible link between exposure to heat and the reproductive system. Resulting in reduced rate of conception in males after exposure. Exposure of females caused disruption of the reproductive cycle until they became acclimatized to heat.
 * Illnesses Caused by Long-Term (chronic) Heat Exposure?**



Sources: http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/007766.html http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/heat_health.html http://www.drpaul.com/illnesses/heat.html Simpons picture-http://www.safetyworld.com/images/1103.gif Heat Stroke Video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf_dFwotpiY