Republic of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES

Tamag, Vigan City
2700 Ilocos Sur

College of Nursing
Website: www.unp.edu.ph Mail: unp_nursingvc@yahoo.com
CP# 09177148749, 09175785986

 Rapid heartbeat, which may be either

Overview on Heat 
strong or weak
Rapid, shallow breathing
stroke  Behavioral changes such as confusion,
disorientation, or staggering
 Seizures
Heat stroke  Unconsciousness
a condition that occurs when your
body overheats, usually as a result of
extended exposure to or physical
effort in hot weather.
the deadliest kind of heat injury
can occur if your body temperature
climbs to 104 ℉ (40 ℃) or above.
most prevalent in summer
needs Emergency Treatment!!!
if left untreated, heatstroke can rapidly
harm your brain, heart, kidneys, and
muscles.

“The longer you wait for treatment,

the worse the damage becomes,
raising your chance of serious
complications or death.” Causes

Heat stroke often occurs as a  Exposure to a hot environment

progression from milder heat-related  Strenuous activity
illnesses such as heat cramps, heat  Wearing excess clothing
syncope (fainting), and heat  Drinking alcohol
exhaustion.   Becoming dehydrated

Symptoms of Heat Stroke Risk Factors

The hallmark symptom of heat stroke is a
 Age. At very young age, the central
core body temperature above 104 degrees
nervous system is not fully developed,
Fahrenheit. But fainting may be the first
sign. and in adults over 65, the central
nervous system begins to deteriorate,
Other symptoms may include:
which makes the body less able to
 Throbbing headache cope with changes in body
 Dizziness and light-headedness temperature.
 Lack of sweating despite the heat  Exertion in hot weather. Military
 Red, hot, and dry skin training and participating in sports,
 Muscle weakness or cramps
such as football or long-distance
 Nausea and vomiting
 Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES
Tamag, Vigan City
2700 Ilocos Sur

College of Nursing
Website: www.unp.edu.ph Mail: unp_nursingvc@yahoo.com
CP# 09177148749, 09175785986

running events, in hot weather are  Certain health conditions. Certain

among the situations that can lead to chronic illnesses, such as heart or
heatstroke. lung disease, might increase your risk
 Sudden exposure to hot of heatstroke. So can being obese,
weather. You may be more being sedentary and having a history
susceptible to heat-related illness if of previous heatstroke.
you're exposed to a sudden increase in Diagnostic Exams
temperature, such as during an early-
summer heat wave or travel to a hotter Rectal Temperature

climate. Limit activity for at least

 to check your core body temperature
several days to allow yourself to
 the most accurate way of determining
acclimate to the change. your core body temperature
 A lack of air conditioning. Fans may
make you feel better, but during Blood test 
sustained hot weather, air conditioning
is the most effective way to cool down  to check blood sodium or potassium
and the content of gases in your blood
and lower humidity.
to see if there's been damage to your
 Certain medications. Some
central nervous system
medications affect your body's ability
to stay hydrated and respond to heat. Urine test 
Be especially careful in hot weather if
you take medications that narrow your  to check the color of your urine,
blood vessels (vasoconstrictors), because it's usually darker if you have
regulate your blood pressure by a heat-related condition, and to check
blocking adrenaline (beta blockers), your kidney function, which can be
affected by heatstroke.
rid your body of sodium and water
(diuretics), or reduce psychiatric
Muscle function tests 
symptoms (antidepressants or
antipsychotics).  to check for serious damage to your
Stimulants for attention- muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis).
deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
and illegal stimulants such as X-rays and other imaging tests

amphetamines and cocaine also make

you more vulnerable to heatstroke.
 Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES
Tamag, Vigan City
2700 Ilocos Sur

College of Nursing
Website: www.unp.edu.ph Mail: unp_nursingvc@yahoo.com
CP# 09177148749, 09175785986

 to check for damage to your internal

organs.

Prevention
Treatment
 Wear loose fitting, lightweight
 Immerse you in cold water. A bath clothing
 Protect against sunburn
of cold or ice water has been proved to  Drink plenty of fluids 
be the most effective way of quickly  Take extra precautions with certain
lowering your core body temperature. medications
 Never leave anyone in a parked car
The quicker you can receive cold water  Take it easy during the hottest parts of
immersion, the less risk of death and the day Get acclimated. 
organ damage.  Be cautious if you're at increased risk

 Use evaporation cooling References:

techniques. If cold water immersion is https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
unavailable, health care workers may try conditions/heat-stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-
to lower your body temperature using an 20353581
evaporation method. Cool water is https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
misted on your body while warm air is conditions/heat-exhaustion/diagnosis-
fanned over you, causing the water to treatment/drc-20373253
evaporate and cool your skin. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/heat-
stroke-symptoms-and-treatment
 Pack you with ice and cooling
blankets. Another method is to wrap
you in a special cooling blanket and Overview on Heat
apply ice packs to your groin, neck, back
and armpits to lower your temperature.
Exhaustion
 Give you medications to stop your Heat Exhaustion
shivering. If treatments to lower your
body temperature make you shiver, your
doctor may give you a muscle relaxant,
such as a benzodiazepine. Shivering
increases your body temperature,
making treatment less effective.
 Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES
Tamag, Vigan City
2700 Ilocos Sur

College of Nursing
Website: www.unp.edu.ph Mail: unp_nursingvc@yahoo.com
CP# 09177148749, 09175785986

 Nausea
 Headache

is a condition whose symptoms may

include heavy sweating and a rapid
pulse, a result of your body over-
heating
It's one of three heat-related Causes
syndromes, with heat cramps being
the mildest and heatstroke being the  Strenuous activity
most severe.
 Hot weather
There are two types of heat exhaustion:
 Dehydration, which reduces your
 Water depletion. Signs include body's ability to sweat and maintain a
excessive thirst, weakness, headache, normal temperature
and loss of consciousness.  Alcohol use, which can affect your
 Salt depletion. Signs include nausea body's ability to regulate your
and vomiting, muscle cramps, temperature
and dizziness.
 Overdressing, particularly in clothes
Although heat exhaustion isn't as serious that don't allow sweat to evaporate
as heat stroke, it isn't something to be taken easily
lightly. Without proper intervention, heat
exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, which Risk Factors
can damage the brain and other vital organs,
and even cause death.
 Young age or old age. Infants and
Symptoms of Heat Stroke children younger than 4 and adults older
than 65 are at higher risk of heat
 Cool, moist skin with goose bumps when
in the heat exhaustion. The body's ability to
 Heavy sweating regulate its temperature isn't fully
 Faintness developed in the young and may be
 Dizziness
 Fatigue reduced by illness, medications or other
 Weak, rapid pulse factors in older adults.
 Low blood pressure upon standing
 Muscle cramps
 Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES
Tamag, Vigan City
2700 Ilocos Sur

College of Nursing
Website: www.unp.edu.ph Mail: unp_nursingvc@yahoo.com
CP# 09177148749, 09175785986

 Certain drugs. Medications that you prone to heat exhaustion and

affect your body's ability to stay heatstroke. When the heat index is 91 F
hydrated and respond appropriately to (33 C) or higher, you should take
heat include some used to treat high precautions to keep cool.
blood pressure and heart problems (beta Diagnostic Exams
blockers, diuretics), reduce allergy
symptoms (antihistamines), calm you  A blood test may be used to check
(tranquilizers), or reduce psychiatric
your sodium or potassium levels to
symptoms such as delusions
help determine if you are dehydrated.
(antipsychotics). Additionally, some
illegal drugs, such as cocaine and  A sample of your urine may be taken.
amphetamines, can increase your core Dark yellow urine may be a sign of
temperature.
dehydration.
 Obesity. Carrying excess weight can
 Muscle function tests may be
affect your body's ability to regulate its
performed.
temperature and cause your body to
retain more heat.  Your doctor runs tests to check your

 Sudden temperature changes. If kidney function.

you're not used to the heat, you're more  X-rays and other imaging tests can be
susceptible to heat-related illnesses, such
used to determine if you have any
as heat exhaustion. Traveling to a warm
internal organ damage.
climate from a cold one or living in an
area that has experienced an early heat Treatment

wave can put you at risk of a heat- If you, or anyone else, has symptoms of heat
related illness because your body hasn't exhaustion, it's essential to immediately get
had a chance to get used to the higher out of the heat and rest, preferably in an air-
conditioned room. If you can't get inside, try to
temperatures. find the nearest cool and shady place.
 A high heat index. The heat index is a Other recommended strategies include:
single temperature value that considers
how both the outdoor temperature and  Drink plenty of fluids, especially
sports drinks to replace lost
humidity make you feel. When the
salt (avoid caffeine and alcohol).
humidity is high, your sweat can't  Remove any tight or unnecessary
evaporate as easily and your body has clothing.
 Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge
more difficulty cooling itself, making
bath.
 Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES
Tamag, Vigan City
2700 Ilocos Sur

College of Nursing
Website: www.unp.edu.ph Mail: unp_nursingvc@yahoo.com
CP# 09177148749, 09175785986

 Apply other cooling measures such

activities outside in the heat. A wide-
as fans or ice towels.
brimmed hat will keep sun from your
If such measures fail to provide relief within
face and help you stay cooler.
15 minutes, seek emergency medical help,
because untreated heat exhaustion can
 Take cooler baths or showers on a
progress to heat stroke.
hot day to help cool you down.

 Take frequent breaks when working

or exercising in the heat.

 Never leave children, infants, adults,

or pets in a closed, parked car. The
temperature inside a closed car can
become very hot, even if the
Prevention temperature outside is mild. That can
lead to heat-related illnesses.
 Stay hydrated. Drink two to four
cups of water every hour that you are Planning for hot weather activity ahead of time
doing activities outside in the heat or can help reduce your risk of heat-related
direct sun. illness.

 Avoid alcohol or caffeinated

beverages if you are doing strenuous
activities, especially in the heat.

 On hotter days, try to do more

activities inside in a temperature-
controlled or air-conditioned
environment.

 Try to avoid doing activities outside

References:
during the hottest parts of the day and
in direct sunlight.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/heat-exhaustion/symptoms-
 Wear light-colored, loose, causes/syc-20373250
lightweight clothing when doing
 Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES
Tamag, Vigan City
2700 Ilocos Sur

College of Nursing
Website: www.unp.edu.ph Mail: unp_nursingvc@yahoo.com
CP# 09177148749, 09175785986

https://www.healthline.com/health/heat-
stroke-vs-heat-exhaustion

https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-
heat-exhaustion/basics/art-20056651

Overview on Heat
Exhaustion
Heat Syncope
is a fainting (syncope) episode or Treatment
dizziness that usually occurs with
prolonged standing or sudden rising Typically, individuals who experience heat
from a sitting or lying position syncope will recover relatively quickly, within
10-15 minutes with minimal treatment and
Factors that may contribute to heat monitoring
syncope include dehydration and lack
of acclimatization.  Move the person to shaded/cool area
to decrease body temperature
Symptoms of Heat Stroke  Sit or lie down as soon as the patient
begins to feel symptoms
 Fainting (short duration)  Monitor vital signs to ensure the
 Dizziness person does not also acquire another
 Light-headedness during prolonged medical condition
standing or suddenly rising from a  Elevate legs to promote blood
sitting or lying position (postural returning to the heart
hypotension)  Rehydrate with water or a sports
beverage
Causes  Lie or sit down in the shade or a cool
area
 Elevate the feet
Heat syncope can be caused by blood pooling  Drink fluids containing salt
in the legs if a person has been standing still  Refrain from vigorous activity
for a long time in a hot environment. It can  Prevention
also be caused by vigorous physical activity
Prevention
for 2 or more hours before the fainting
happens. Additionally, wearing heavy Heat syncope often occurs in individuals that
equipment (such as football pads or firefighter are un-acclimatized to the heat (the body is not
used to increased environmental temperatures)
bunker gear) and a uniform increases
therefore, individuals should adapt to exercise
sweating, resulting in dehydration. in the heat gradually acclimatize over 10-14
days by progressively increasing duration and
intensity of work.
 Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES
Tamag, Vigan City
2700 Ilocos Sur

College of Nursing
Website: www.unp.edu.ph Mail: unp_nursingvc@yahoo.com
CP# 09177148749, 09175785986

 By drinking adequate liquids, individuals

decrease their chance of succumbing to
exertional heat illnesses.
Additional ways to prevent heat syncope
include avoiding alcohol, avoiding exposure to
warm environments, wear clothing that blocks
the sun’s rays, and exercising during cooler
times of the day.

References:

https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/pages/condi
tions.aspx?hwid=not245139&lang=en-ca

https://ksi.uconn.edu/emergency-
conditions/heat-illnesses/heat-syncope/

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/he
atrelillness.html