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Managing Heat and Cold Emergencies: Symptoms and Treatment Guide

Learn about body temperature maintenance, heat production, and heat loss along with the signs and treatment of heat-related illnesses like heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Explore frostbite and hypothermia risks, symptoms, and treatment methods. Get valuable insights to help in identifying and handling emergency situations caused by extreme temperatures promptly and effectively.

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Managing Heat and Cold Emergencies: Symptoms and Treatment Guide

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  1. Heat and Cold Emergencies TheEMSProfessional.com TheEMSProfessional.com

  2. Heat/Cold Emergencies • Metabolism runs best at 98.6oF • T0 - Metabolic rates; cell damage • T0 - Metabolic rates; cell damage TheEMSProfessional.com

  3. Body Temperature Maintenance Balancing Heat Production, Heat Loss TheEMSProfessional.com

  4. Heat Production Metabolism Movement of Large Muscles Shivering Heat Loss Radiation Conduction Convection Evaporation Respiration TheEMSProfessional.com

  5. Heat Production > Heat Loss = Body Temperature • Heat Loss > Heat Production = Body Temperature TheEMSProfessional.com

  6. Heat/Cold Illness Results from: • Effects of or body temperature • Effects of attempting to compensate for changes in heat production, heat loss TheEMSProfessional.com

  7. Heat Illness TheEMSProfessional.com

  8. Heat Cramps • Due to salt loss from sweating • Spasms in large muscle groups • Patient awake, alert TheEMSProfessional.com

  9. Heat Cramps Treatment • Stop activity • Cool environment • Balanced salt solution • Do not give salt or water alone TheEMSProfessional.com

  10. What would be the effect of giving only water without salt to a patient with heat cramps? TheEMSProfessional.com

  11. Heat Exhaustion • Sweating = Blood volume • Vasodilation = Vascular volume Both decrease perfusion TheEMSProfessional.com

  12. Heat Exhaustion Signs, Symptoms • Dizziness • Weakness • Faintness • Headache • Nausea, vomiting • Pale, cool, moist skin TheEMSProfessional.com

  13. Why do the signs/symptoms of heat exhaustion resemble the signs/symptoms of shock? TheEMSProfessional.com

  14. Heat Exhaustion Treatment • Stop activity • Cool environment • Lie down, elevate legs • Balanced salt solution orally, if not nauseated • Transport if LOC or symptoms do not clear rapidly TheEMSProfessional.com

  15. Heat Stroke • Most serious heat-related illness • Body temperature > 106oF • Damage occurs to temperature regulating center in brainstem • Sweating mechanism fails TheEMSProfessional.com

  16. Heat Stroke Types • Classic • Exertional TheEMSProfessional.com

  17. High Risk Groups Classic Heat Stroke • Elderly • Chronic medical problems • Congestive heart failure • Obesity • Alcoholism TheEMSProfessional.com

  18. High Risk Groups Exertional Heat Stroke • Small children in closed vehicles • Athletes, military recruits, construction workers, on hot humid days TheEMSProfessional.com

  19. Heat Stroke Signs/Symptoms • Body temperature • Hot, dry, flushed skin • Absence of sweating • Altered mental status • Confusion, irritability • LOC • Coma • Seizures TheEMSProfessional.com

  20. LOC + Hot EnvironmentequalsHeat Strokeuntil proven otherwise TheEMSProfessional.com

  21. High concentration O2 Assist ventilations as needed Rapidly cool to 102oF Transport Heat Stroke Treatment TheEMSProfessional.com

  22. Cold Emergencies TheEMSProfessional.com

  23. Frostbite • Localized cold injury • Subfreezing temperatures • Vasoconstriction occurs • Blood flow to distal circulation (nose, ears, fingers, toes) • Water in tissues freezes; tissue damage occurs TheEMSProfessional.com

  24. Frostbite Signs/Symptoms • Mild (frost nip): Red, burning areas • Superficial: White, waxy, doughy-feeling • Deep: Dead white, hard, no sensation TheEMSProfessional.com

  25. Frostbite Treatment • Remove from cold • Dry areas gently, wrap in sterile dressing • Transport • If transport prolonged, rewarm rapidly in 100-105oF water TheEMSProfessional.com

  26. Frostbite Treatment • Do NOT rub frostbite • Do NOT allow refreezing • Do NOT allow patient to smoke TheEMSProfessional.com

  27. Hypothermia • Generalized cooling of body • Can occur at temperatures above freezing TheEMSProfessional.com

  28. Hypothermia Risk Groups • Homeless • Alcoholics • Elderly living in poorly heated homes • Outdoor sports participants TheEMSProfessional.com

  29. LOC + Cool Environment equalsHypothermiauntil proven otherwise TheEMSProfessional.com

  30. Hypothermia Treatment • Support airway, breathing • 100% O2--warmed, if possible • Prevent further heat loss • Do not aggressively rewarm TheEMSProfessional.com

  31. Treatment for Hypothermia • Avoid rough handling • Transport TheEMSProfessional.com

  32. Hypothermia can cause apparent absence of vital signs Always resuscitate You’re not dead until you’re warm and dead! TheEMSProfessional.com

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