6. Contributing Factors – cont’d
Personal Factors
Age/ Weight /Fitness
degree of Acclimatization –.
Use of alcohol or drugs, and a variety of
medical conditions such as hypertension.
The type of clothing worn must be
considered
Prior heat injury predisposes an individual
to additional injury.
7. Metabolic Heat – generated through
the digestion of food, work, and
exercise
Environmental Heat – absorbed from the
surrounding environment.
Generation of Body Heat
8. 6
The Body’s Cooling System
• As the body’s core
temperature rises, several
activities increase:
Sweating
Heart rate
Blood flow to the skin
• When the cooling system
works well, the core
temperature drops and can
stabilize at a safe level.
9.
10. 7
How does Heat Stress Occur?
• During warm weather, the body normally
cools itself by perspiring.
• When the air temperature is the same or
warmer than the body temperature,
cooling the body is more difficult.
• When the humidity becomes higher,
perspiration will not evaporate as quickly,
preventing the body from releasing heat
as fast as it normally would, causing
various levels of heat stress.
12. Heat Fatigue
A factor that predisposes an individual to heat fatigue is lack
of acclimatization
The signs and symptoms of heat fatigue include impaired
performance of skilled sensor motor, mental, or vigilance jobs
There is no treatment for heat fatigue except to remove the
heat stress before a more serious heat-related condition
develops.
13. Heat Rash
Also known as “Prickly Heat.”
Occurs when sweat cannot freely evaporate
from the skin and sweat ducts become
plugged. This inflammation can cause a red
rash.
Red cluster of pimples or small
blister.- Can happen anywhere
on body. Neck/ Back/ Groin
Can be prevented by wearing clothes that
allow sweat to evaporate as well as bathing
regularly and drying the skin. Can use
powder for comfort .
14. Heat Cramps
Cramps in the arms, legs, or abdomen
Occur in individuals who sweat profusely then drink large quantities of water, but
do not adequately replace the body’s salt loss.
To prevent, ensure that salts are replaced during and after heavy sweating.
- Stop all activity, and sit in a cool place.
- Drink water, clear juice or a sports beverage.
- Do not return to strenuous work for a few hours after
the cramps subside because further exertion may
lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Seek medical attention if any of the following apply:
The worker has heart problems.
The worker is on a low-sodium diet.
The cramps do not subside within one hour.
15. 27
Heat Syncope/fainting/collapse
• Symptoms:
- the onset of heat collapse is rapid and
unpredictable
Fainting/- Dizzy/- Light Headed
• Causes :
• In heat collapse, the brain does not receive enough
oxygen because blood pools in the extremities
• lack of acclimatization
Treatment:
- Sit or lie down in cool place when
they begin
to feel symptoms.
- Slowly drink water, clear juice, or a
sports
beverage.
16. 19
Heat Exhaustion –
Heat Exhaustion is considered a Medical
Emergency! If not treated on time
• Weakness
• Heavy sweating
• Extreme weakness
or fatigue
• Dizziness, confusion
• Nausea
• Clammy, moist skin
• Pale or flushed
complexion
• Muscle cramps
• Slightly elevated
body
temperature
• Fast and shallow
breathing
17. Heat Exhaustion - Treatment
Do not leave the person alone.
Move to a cool place to rest.
Drink water or electrolyte fluids.
Treat for shock, if necessary.
If unconscious, fails to recover rapidly, has other injuries, or has a history
of medical problems, seek medical attention.
18. Heat Stroke - Cause
Severe and sometimes fatal condition resulting from the failure
of the body to regulate its core temperature. body temperature
rises to critical levels
The body’s normal cooling mechanisms stop functioning,
sweating stops.
This condition is caused by a combination of highly variable
factors, and its occurrence is difficult to predict
True medical emergency requiring immediate medical
attention.
19. Heat Stroke – Symptoms
Rapid Pulse
Mental Confusion/ irrational behavior;
Loss of Consciousness
Convulsions
abnormally high Body Temperature > 105
Lack of sweating (usually); Hot, dry skin
Can die unless treated promptly
If body temperature is too high, it causes death
20. Heat Stroke – Treatment
Professional medical treatment should be obtained
immediately. Call 911
The worker should be placed in a shady area and the
outer clothing should be removed.
The skin should be wetted and air movement around
the worker should be increased to improve
evaporative cooling until professional methods of
cooling are initiated and
the seriousness of the condition can be assessed by
monitoring the vital sign
Fluids should be replaced as soon as possible
21.
22. Prevention
Acclimatization
Work in pairs/Rotate workers in and out of hot areas if possible.
Drink plenty of cool water or electrolyte replacement fluids even if not thirsty.
(One small cup every 15-20 minutes)
Be able to recognize early signs & symptoms of heat-induced illness and take
appropriate action to prevent serious heat disorders.
Schedule most strenuous work during the coolest times of the day.
Spend as little time as possible in direct sunlight.
Take frequent breaks in cool, shaded areas.
Wear light, loose fitting, clothing.
Avoid caffeine, which can make the body lose water.
24. True or false
1. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke mean the same thing.
2. Heat-related illness is only a concern if the temperature reaches 100°F (37.8°C).
3. Having high blood pressure increases your risk of developing a heat-related illness.
4. If you’re overweight, you're at higher risk of developing a heat-related illness.
5. The only way to keep cool when it's hot indoors is to use a fan or air conditioner.
6. Headache, nausea and fatigue are common symptoms of heat-related illness.
7.one of the first steps to treat heat exhaustion is to get the person into a cool place
.
25. Short quiz
Which of the following is a sign of heat stroke, but not heat
exhaustion?
A. really fast heart beat
B .coma
C. Dizziness
D. continuous heavy sweating
26. Short quiz
1. Normal body temperature is _____ and heat stroke occurs at
a body temperature of _____.
a. 98.6 degrees F, at or above 104 degrees F
b. 98.6 degrees F, anything above 98.6 degrees F
c. 98.6 degrees F, 100 degrees F
d. 100 degrees F, at or above 104 degrees F
27. Short quiz
2. Which of the following statements is true?
a. a heat stroke is a medical emergency
b. heat exhaustion is a medical emergency
c. heat stroke can lead to heat exhaustion
d. neither condition is considered to be an emergency
28. THANK YOU
DR AMBER MUSHTAQ
MBBS.FCCP MRCGP
CONSULTANT FAMILY PHYSICIAN
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE
Editor's Notes
The higher on the list, the more dangerous it is to the individual. An untreated Heat stroke case can lead to DEATH.
Heat Rash can easily be handled by first aid.
Those affected concerning heat related injuries and illnesses include:
Workers
Co-workers
Elderly
Children
Pets
Friends
Neighbors
Everybody
YOU
As the body’s core temperature rises, several activities increase:
Sweating
Heart rate
Blood flow to the skin
When the body’s cooling system works well, the core temperature drops and can stabilize at a safe level.
Heat stress occurs because during warm weather, the body normally cools itself by perspiring.
When the air temperature is the same or warmer than the body temperature, cooling the body is more difficult.
When the humidity becomes higher, perspiration will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat as fast as it normally would, causing various levels of heat stress.
Don’t be fooled by the outside temperature as heat related illnesses/injuries can occur during cold weather as well depending upon what the person is wearing, what task(s) they are accomplishing, how long they’re doing the task(s), etc.
Heat Syncope (sink-a-pee)
Heat syncope is a fainting episode or dizziness that usually occurs due to prolonged standing or sudden rising from a sitting or lying position. Factors that may contribute to heat syncope include dehydration and lack of acclimatization.
Staying Quiet means no cell phone usage or other work related activity like still directing the work.
Staying quiet will allow both yourself and others to evaluate your condition and its seriousness.
When thinking about heat exhaustion, pick things up by watching co-workers.
They may be asking for or just taking aspirin or drinking caffeine drinks.
They may be holding their stomachs or look miserable more than usual.
They may be making multiple trips because they can’t lift the normal load.
They may respond to you in a unusual way.