How How HEATHEAT puts Stress puts Stress on your bodyon your body

PRESENTATION GOAL: TO HELP PRESENTATION GOAL: TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THESE ITEMS:YOU UNDERSTAND THESE ITEMS:

1.1. Your body’s handling of heatYour body’s handling of heat2.2. Hot environments increase likelihood Hot environments increase likelihood

of accidentsof accidents3.3. Why your body’s cooling system may Why your body’s cooling system may

failfail4.4. The types of heat-related illnessesThe types of heat-related illnesses5.5. Factors causing heat illnessFactors causing heat illness6.6. Personal factors that may cause heat Personal factors that may cause heat

illnessillness7.7. Basic preventive measures for heat Basic preventive measures for heat

stressstress

The Body’s Response to Heat The Body’s Response to Heat The body tries to maintain a constant The body tries to maintain a constant internal temperatureinternal temperature

When the internal temperature rises, When the internal temperature rises, the body attempts to get rid of excess the body attempts to get rid of excess heat by:heat by:– Increasing blood flow to skin surfaceIncreasing blood flow to skin surface– Releasing sweat onto skin surfaceReleasing sweat onto skin surface

Effects of Body’s Response Effects of Body’s Response

Reduced blood flow to brainReduced blood flow to brain– Reduced mental alertness and Reduced mental alertness and

comprehensioncomprehension

Reduced blood flow to active musclesReduced blood flow to active muscles– Fatigue, loss of strengthFatigue, loss of strength

Increased sweatingIncreased sweating– SlipperinessSlipperiness

Potential result of = a Higher rate of mistakes/injuries too much heat

When Cooling Mechanisms FailWhen Cooling Mechanisms FailHigh air temperature reduces High air temperature reduces effectiveness of the cooling systemeffectiveness of the cooling system

High humidity reducesHigh humidity reducesevaporation rate of sweatevaporation rate of sweat

Excess loss of sodiumExcess loss of sodium

DehydrationDehydration

Heat StrokeHeat StrokeCause: Cause: – Total breakdown of body’s cooling systemTotal breakdown of body’s cooling system

Signs & Symptoms:Signs & Symptoms:– High body temperature (>103) High body temperature (>103) – Sweating stops and skin is hot, red, and drySweating stops and skin is hot, red, and dry– Headache, dizziness, weakness, rapid Headache, dizziness, weakness, rapid

pulse, chills, difficulty breathingpulse, chills, difficulty breathing– If untreated, delirium and unconsciousness If untreated, delirium and unconsciousness

Heat Stroke - TreatmentHeat Stroke - TreatmentTreat as a medical emergencyTreat as a medical emergency– May result in death, if not treatedMay result in death, if not treated– 4,000 Americans die each year4,000 Americans die each year

Move victim to cool areaMove victim to cool area

Give small cup of water (if not nauseous)Give small cup of water (if not nauseous)

Loosen and/or remove clothingLoosen and/or remove clothing

Cool with water or massage with iceCool with water or massage with ice

Fan vigorously to improve evaporationFan vigorously to improve evaporation

Heat ExhaustionHeat ExhaustionCause:Cause: – Too much loss of water & salt: sweatingToo much loss of water & salt: sweating

Signs & Symptoms:Signs & Symptoms:– Heavy sweating, intense thirst, skin is pale and Heavy sweating, intense thirst, skin is pale and

cool, rapid pulse, fatigue or weakness, nausea & cool, rapid pulse, fatigue or weakness, nausea & vomiting, headache, blurred vision, faintingvomiting, headache, blurred vision, fainting

Treatment:Treatment:– Move to cool area, rest with legs elevated, loosen Move to cool area, rest with legs elevated, loosen

clothing, give fluids, cool with water & fanclothing, give fluids, cool with water & fan

Heat CrampsHeat CrampsCause:Cause:– Loss of saltLoss of salt

Signs & Symptoms:Signs & Symptoms:– Painful spasms in arms, legs and abdomenPainful spasms in arms, legs and abdomen– Hot, moist skinHot, moist skin

Treatment:Treatment:– Drink water, rest, massage cramped areas Drink water, rest, massage cramped areas

DehydrationDehydration

Cause: Cause: – Excessive fluid lossExcessive fluid loss

Signs & symptoms: Signs & symptoms: – Fatigue, weakness, dry mouthFatigue, weakness, dry mouth

Treatment: Treatment: – Fluids and salt replacementFluids and salt replacement

Heat RashHeat Rash

Cause: Cause: – Inflamed skin Inflamed skin

Signs & Symptoms: Signs & Symptoms: – Rash w/ pink pimples, itching, tinglingRash w/ pink pimples, itching, tingling

Treatment: Treatment: – Cleanse area & dry, apply calamine or Cleanse area & dry, apply calamine or

other lotionsother lotions

Preventing Heat IllnessesPreventing Heat Illnesses

Know the factors that increase riskKnow the factors that increase risk– The environment you’re working in The environment you’re working in – The work you’re doing The work you’re doing – Your own conditioningYour own conditioning

Think about what you can do to Think about what you can do to prevent heat stressprevent heat stress

Environmental FactorsEnvironmental Factors

Air temperatureAir temperature

HumidityHumidity

Radiant heat sourceRadiant heat source

Air circulationAir circulation

Work-related Factors Work-related Factors

WorkloadWorkload– Type of workType of work– Level of physical activityLevel of physical activity– Time spent workingTime spent working

ClothingClothing– Weight (heavy v. breathable)Weight (heavy v. breathable)– Color (dark v. light) Color (dark v. light) – Personal protective equipmentPersonal protective equipment

and clothingand clothing

Personal Factors Personal Factors

AgeAge

Weight/fitnessWeight/fitness

Use of drugs, alcohol, Use of drugs, alcohol, caffeine, medicationcaffeine, medication

Prior heat-related illnessPrior heat-related illness

PreventionPrevention

Drink plenty of fluidsDrink plenty of fluids– Don’t rely on your thirst Don’t rely on your thirst – 5-7 oz. every 20 minutes5-7 oz. every 20 minutes

Acclimatization: adjust to the heatAcclimatization: adjust to the heat– The body takes 3-5 days to get used to The body takes 3-5 days to get used to

the heatthe heat– Be careful when returning from a Be careful when returning from a

change in routine: (i.e. vacation)change in routine: (i.e. vacation)

Prevention (continued)Prevention (continued)Choose proper clothingChoose proper clothing– Choose light colors and lightest weight Choose light colors and lightest weight

possible possible – Select proper personal protective equipmentSelect proper personal protective equipment

Schedule tasks with some consideration of the Schedule tasks with some consideration of the heatheat– Work/rest cyclesWork/rest cycles– Heaviest tasks early morning or duskHeaviest tasks early morning or dusk

Eat properly, get enough sleep & restEat properly, get enough sleep & rest

ReviewReview

How the body responds to heatHow the body responds to heat

Why cooling mechanisms failWhy cooling mechanisms fail

What factors contribute to heat-related What factors contribute to heat-related illnessillness

How to recognize and treat the most How to recognize and treat the most common heat disorderscommon heat disorders

How to prevent heat-related illnessHow to prevent heat-related illness