Environ

Heat Stress

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Heat Stress

  • See Also
  1. Heat Illness
  2. Heat Exhaustion
  3. Heat Stroke
  • Pathophysiology
  1. Body response to excessive heat load
  2. Heat Stress is the most mild form on continuum to Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
    1. Heat Cramps, Heat Edema and Heat Rash are other mild manifestations of Heat Related Illness
  • Symptoms
  1. Heat-related discomfort
  2. Decreased Exercise tolerance
  3. Unacclimatized patients may experience more systemic symptoms, but core Temperature remains normal
  • Signs
  1. Core Temperature unchanged (<38 C or 100.4 F)
  2. Contrast with Heat Exhaustion where core Temperature rises above 38 C (100.4 F) associated with systemic symptoms
  3. Contrast with Heat Stroke where core Temperature rises above 40 C (104 F), asssociated with altered consciousness
  • Management
  1. Move to shaded or cooler environment
  2. Maintain hydration
  • References
  1. Salinas and Ruttan (2017) Crit Dec Emerg Med 31(9): 3-10
  2. Gauer (2019) Am Fam Physician 99(8):482-9 [PubMed]