Heat Disorders
The following information should NOT be relied upon for personal diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. If you have medical questions, please contact your healthcare provider. If you need medical assistance, please contact a medical provider or call 9-1-1
Sunburn
Symptoms: Skin redness and pain, possible swelling, blisters, fever, headaches.
First Aid: Take a shower, using soap, to remove oils that may block pores preventing the body from cooling naturally. If blisters occur, apply dry, sterile dressings and get medical attention.
Heat Cramps
Symptoms: Painful spasms usually in leg and abdominal muscles. Heavy sweating.
First Aid: Firm pressure on cramping muscles or gentle massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue.
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Weak pulse. Normal temperature possible. Fainting, vomiting.
First Aid: Get victim to lie down in a cool place. Loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air-conditioned place. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue. If vomiting occurs, seek immediate medical attention.
Heat Stroke (Sun Stroke)
Symptoms: High body temperature (106+). Hot, dry skin. Rapid, strong pulse. Possible unconsciousness. Victim will likely not sweat.
First Aid: Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 or emergency medical services or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Delay can be fatal. Move victim to a cooler environment. Try a cool bath or sponging to reduce body temperature. Use extreme caution. Remove clothing. Use fans and/or air conditioners. DO NOT GIVE FLUIDS.
Source: www.fema.gov
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...ms are particularly susceptible to heat reactions, especially during heat waves in areas where a moderate climate usually prevails.
What can I do to prevent heat related illnesses?
Heat Wave Safety Tips
Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities to the coolest time of day. Individuals at high risk should stay in the coolest available place(not necessarily indoors)
Dress in lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Eat lightly
Drink plenty of water or other non-alchoholic beverages even if you don't feel thirsty. Persons who have epilepsy, heart, kidney or liver disiase,who are on fluid restricted diets or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their fluid consumption.
Do not take salt tables unless directed by a physician
Spend more time in air-conditioned places.
Don't get too much sun.
Warm blankets should be provided to swaddle and cuddle the patient.
If you feel chest pains, shortness of breath, or uncommon heart beats, get medical attention instantly. If any of these complications occur, you'll need to be hospitalized for extra
With MS, most people experience exacerbations, where symptoms get progressively worse, which are then “followed by periods of reduced or no symptoms,” indicative of remission (PubMed Health 2013). Though for many it is “common for the disease to return (relapse), […for some] the disease may continue to get worse without periods of remission” (PubMed Health 2013). Also, the severity of the disorder can be amplified by exposure to extreme heat in addit...
Mrs. Jones, 78 years old, arrived in the emergency department (ED) via ambulance. She was alert and oriented, but was having episodes of lost consciousness. She was put on the cardiac monitor and her vital signs were obtained. Her cardiac rhythm was normal. Her vital signs were as follows: Temperature 97.3°F, Pulse 43, respirations 26, blood pressure 100/58 and O2 saturation of 94% on room air. Additionally, Mrs. Jones was vomiting and had 2 loose, incontinent stools. She was pale, cool to touch and diaphoretic. Auscultation of her lungs revealed expiratory wheezes.
“There are certain symptoms you would need to seek emergency medical attention right away for, for example repeated vomiting, loss of consciousness lasting for more than 30 seconds, slurred speech or changes in speech, and changes in physical coordination such as stumbling or falling.” (Mayo Clinic, n.d.)
problems within the specific ion channels known to cause the disease. The goal of the
exertional heat illness can be across a variety of symptoms including muscle cramps, fainting, dizziness, crankiness, excessive thirst, being spaced out or distant, there can also be a variety of severities from life threatening to a few days of physical activity. exertional heat illness will always start of at the smallest severity but the longer it goes unnoticed and untreated the more severe it can get.
The physician’s notes indicated a temperature of 98 degrees F, an elevated heart rate and respiratory rate, and low blood pressure. When the amount of oxygen available for the heart is low, it puts pressure on the heart and causes the heart rates to increase. To compensate for the low amount of oxygen the respiratory rate also increases to enable the intake of more oxygen that is be available for the body.
A patient should remain on bed rest and receive well balanced nutrition. Patients should be restricted from school and or work until fever is reduced and jaundice diminishes. If the patient is vomiting and or has diarrhea, they can be treated with antiemetic medications. Also, adequate water intake is necessary.
First aid for generalized seizures involves protecting the individual by clearing the area of sharp or hard objects, providing soft cushioning for the head, such as a pillow or folded jacket and, if necessary, turning the individual on the side to keep his or her airway clear. The individual having a seizure should not be restrained and the mouth should not be forced open. It is not true that a person having a seizure can swallow the tongue. If the individual having the seizure is known to have epilepsy or is wearing epilepsy identification jewelry, an ambulance should only be called if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, another seizure closely follows the first, or the person cannot be awakened after the jerking movements subside.
There are several causes to elderly dehydration, which can be broken down into four groups: physiological factors, psychological factors, functional impairments, and mechanical impairments. (Hamilton, 2001) The physiological factors are: natural 10% body fluid loss, diminish of taste making food less appetizing and adding salt for flavor, thirst diminishes, medications that are diuretics or laxatives, and draining wounds. (Hamilton 2001) The caffeine in coffee and soda, the theophylline in tea, and the throbromine in cocoa, all raise blood pressure along with increase production and elimination of urine. (Vasey, 2002) Alcohol, on the other hand, dries out the mucous membrane causing sclerosis. (Vasey, 2002) Diarrhea, vomiting, or febrile illness also contributes to elderly dehydration. (Moore, 2005) The psychological factors are: depression which contributes to loss of appetite, purposefully decrease fluid to reduce bathroom trips. (Hamilton, 2001) The functional impairments are: coma, paralysis and N.P.O (Nothing Per Orem) patients. (Hamilton, 2001) Elderly individuals with disabilities such as: visual, cognitive or motor impairment may need assists with water intake. (Kavanaugh, 2000) Tubal feeding may need additional water in the nutr...
Hypothermia protocol for the post cardiac arrest patient has been an evidence based practice of this therapy for about a decade now. This intervention, often used in the critical care setting, is now expanding to primary emergency responders as well. This paper will present some of the notable research that has been done on therapeutic hypothermia, and current use of this intervention.
“You call 911 immediately. EpiPen is a device designed to use in an emergency situation, in case of an allergic reaction, giving you the time to get to the hospital”.
The patient has high temperature, and extreme sweating as well as visible chills on body.
First aid trained personnel and the first aid kit are the best tool to prevent further damage to the injured and make sure they are on the recovery path swiftly without any problems.