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Summer Thought!
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion occurs when fluid losses from
sweating and respiration are greater than the internal fluid
reserves, or in other words, too much fluid is lost for the body to
continue. Heat exhaustion is really a form of shock. The lack of
fluid causes the body constrict blood vessels, especially in the arms
and legs. To understand heat exhaustion, think of a car with a
radiator leak pulling a trailer up a mountain pass. There is not
enough fluid in the system to cool off the engine, so the car
overheats. To solve the problem, simply add fluid. That goes for both
your body and the car.
The signs of heat exhaustion are the
following:
Sweating
Skin-pale, and clammy
Pulse rate increased
Respiration rate increased
Temperature normal or slightly elevated
Urine output decreased
Patient feels weak, dizzy, thirsty, "sick", and/or anxious
Nausea and vomiting
Treatment:
The only way to treat for heat
exhaustion is to have the patient stop exercising, and to re hydrate
the patient. The patient must be very
careful about resuming physical activity. Have the patient lie down,
preferably in a cool or shaded area. Elevate his/her feet and give
him/her plenty of liquids, particularly liquids that contain salt
(1/2 teaspoon baking soda and ½ teaspoon salt per quart or liter
of water). Have the patient drink slowly, drinking too much salt to
fast often causes nausea and vomiting. The patient should not resume
vigorous activity until all their fluids are restored, and they have
a normal urinary output, and only then, with great caution.
Evacuation is not necessary for heat exhaustion, but if left
untreated, heat exhaustion can quickly turn into heatstroke. Closely
monitor the patients temperature, and make sure his/her temperature
does not elevate past 103 degrees.
Tips
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