By Jointra Editorial Team, Certified EMT
Heat illness is a progressive condition that ranges from mild heat cramps to life-threatening heat stroke. Understanding where on the spectrum a patient falls determines the urgency and type of treatment needed.
The mildest form. Painful muscle spasms, usually in the legs or abdomen, caused by electrolyte loss during heavy sweating. The patient is alert and oriented, skin is moist.
Treatment: rest, move to a cool environment, oral rehydration with electrolytes.
A moderate emergency. The body is overwhelmed by heat and struggling to compensate.
Signs:
Treatment: move to cool environment, remove excess clothing, apply cool wet cloths, oral or IV fluids. Most patients improve within 30 minutes.
Heat stroke occurs when the body's thermoregulation fails. It is a life-threatening emergency with mortality rates up to 80% if untreated.
Classic heat stroke — occurs in the elderly or chronically ill during heat waves. May have dry skin (sweating mechanism fails).
Exertional heat stroke — occurs in young healthy people during intense activity. Usually still sweating.
Signs:
Do NOT wait for EMS to begin cooling.
The goal is to reduce core temperature below 102°F as rapidly as possible. Every degree and every minute matters.
Elderly individuals, infants, outdoor laborers, athletes, and people on certain medications (diuretics, anticholinergics, antipsychotics) are at highest risk. Never leave children in parked cars.