Heat Related Conditions
- Heat Illnesses:
- Heat cramps: Painful, involuntary muscle spasms caused by dehydration and is the most common heat illness. Stretching and ice massage along with intake of cold fluids with electrolytes will help manage heat cramps
- Heat exhaustion: A "functional" illness that is characterized by thirst, headache, dizziness, fatigue, weak and rapid pulse, low blood pressure and excessive sweating
- Heat stroke: The most serious heat illness is caused when the thermoregulatory system is overloaded and the body's cooling mechanism fails. Characterized by hot and dry skin, no sweat development, rapid and strong pulse, and disorientation. This is a medical emergency, EMS should be contacted immediately
- Prevention of heat illness: Acclimatization and proper hydration
- Acclimatization: Decrease amount and intensity of exercise when there is prolonged heat exposure
- Hydration: Necessary to properly regulate the body's thermoregulation system
Cold Related Conditions
- Hypothermia: Inability for body to maintain constant core temperature. Blood to skin and distal parts of body are re-directed to core in order to maintain and increase core temperature
- Characterized by slow heart and respiration rates, low muscle temperature, and shivering that can increase violently. This is a medical emergency, EMS should be contacted immediately