What is an environmental illness?
Environmental illnesses occur when the body endures extreme heat or cold temperatures. These most often occur in either the summer or winter when temperatures reach record highs and lows. These illnesses can be life threatening if appropriate treatment is not given quickly.
Patients that are more at risk for an environmental illness include:
Heat-related Illnesses:
The three types of heat-related illnesses are heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Heat Cramps:
Heat Cramps are the least severe but also the earliest sign of a heat-related illness. It is caused by a rapid loss of the body’s water and electrolytes through perspiration. The symptoms include heavy sweating and painful spasms of skeletal muscles. This typically occurs in the abdomen, back and arms.
The best way to combat heat cramps is:
Heat Exhaustion:
Heat exhaustion is a more severe environmental illness caused by a temperature rise in the body. Here, the body’s thermoregulatory responses are triggered and starting to become overwhelmed. The patient will be heavily sweating in an attempt to lose some heat through evaporation. This condition is serious because if not treated properly, the patient will lose enough fluid to decrease blood volume. This means less blood is available for vital organ function, and the patient may start experiencing the early stages of shock (Emergency Care for Professional Responders, CRC). The symptoms include feeling dizzy, excessive sweating, pale and clammy skin, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, and irregular pulse.
The best way to combat heat exhaustion is:
Heat Stroke:
Heat stroke is the least common and most severe heat-related illness that occurs if heat exhaustion is not promptly treated. Here, the body’s thermoregulatory responses are overwhelmed and begin to malfunction. The patient will no longer be sweating as there is an insufficient level of fluids in the body. The body’s inability to cool itself results in core temperature rising, which can lead to failure of vital organs. The symptoms include headaches, confusion, dry and hot skin, potential loss of consciousness, seizures, and high body temperature.
The treatment for heat stroke is:
Cold-related Illnesses:
The two types of cold-related illnesses are cold stressed, and hypothermia. These occur in extreme or prolonged cold temperatures, when the body’s heating mechanisms are overwhelmed. Localized injuries on the skin can also occur such as frostbite.
Cold-stressed:
Cold-stress is the least severe but also the earliest sign of a cold-related illness. It is caused by a rapid loss of body heat. The symptoms include shivering, stiff muscles, and only slightly impaired motor function.
The best way to combat cold stress is:
Hypothermia:
Hypothermia is a more severe environmental illness caused by a temperature drop in the body. Here, the body’s thermoregulatory responses are triggered and starting to become overwhelmed. The patient will be vigorously shivering and complaining of the cold, they will begin to lose coordination or speech and may be confused, they may also have a lower level of responsiveness. This condition is serious because mild hypothermia can quickly develop into severe hypothermia. Severe hypothermia occurs when the patient stops shivering, becomes unresponsive, has shallow respirations, and a weak pulse (Emergency Care for Professional Responders, CRC).
The treatment for mild hypothermia includes:
The treatment for severe hypothermia includes:
*Please note that in the event of a medical emergency, always call 911 (EMS)
Sources:
Emergency Care for Professional Responders. (2019). Ottawa: Canadian Red Cross Society.
Environmental illnesses occur when the body endures extreme heat or cold temperatures. These most often occur in either the summer or winter when temperatures reach record highs and lows. These illnesses can be life threatening if appropriate treatment is not given quickly.
Patients that are more at risk for an environmental illness include:
- Young Children
- The elderly
- Patients with Diabetes
- Patients suffering from a respiratory or cardiovascular disease
- Patients that have already experienced an environmental illness
Heat-related Illnesses:
The three types of heat-related illnesses are heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Heat Cramps:
Heat Cramps are the least severe but also the earliest sign of a heat-related illness. It is caused by a rapid loss of the body’s water and electrolytes through perspiration. The symptoms include heavy sweating and painful spasms of skeletal muscles. This typically occurs in the abdomen, back and arms.
The best way to combat heat cramps is:
- Drink electrolyte-rich fluids
- Take a break in a cool environment (in the shade or in an air-conditioned building)
- Gently stretch or massage the location of the cramp
Heat Exhaustion:
Heat exhaustion is a more severe environmental illness caused by a temperature rise in the body. Here, the body’s thermoregulatory responses are triggered and starting to become overwhelmed. The patient will be heavily sweating in an attempt to lose some heat through evaporation. This condition is serious because if not treated properly, the patient will lose enough fluid to decrease blood volume. This means less blood is available for vital organ function, and the patient may start experiencing the early stages of shock (Emergency Care for Professional Responders, CRC). The symptoms include feeling dizzy, excessive sweating, pale and clammy skin, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, and irregular pulse.
The best way to combat heat exhaustion is:
- Drink electrolyte-rich fluids
- Take a break in an air-conditioned building
- Remove tight clothing or extra layers
- Take a cool shower or use a cool compress
Heat Stroke:
Heat stroke is the least common and most severe heat-related illness that occurs if heat exhaustion is not promptly treated. Here, the body’s thermoregulatory responses are overwhelmed and begin to malfunction. The patient will no longer be sweating as there is an insufficient level of fluids in the body. The body’s inability to cool itself results in core temperature rising, which can lead to failure of vital organs. The symptoms include headaches, confusion, dry and hot skin, potential loss of consciousness, seizures, and high body temperature.
The treatment for heat stroke is:
- Immediately contact 911 (Emergency Medical Services, EMS).
- Move the person to a cooler environment
- Use cold water to aggressively cool the patient down
- Do not give fluids
- Monitor the patient’s breathing
- Be prepared to perform CPR if required
- If vomiting or severe symptoms continue, seek medical attention
Cold-related Illnesses:
The two types of cold-related illnesses are cold stressed, and hypothermia. These occur in extreme or prolonged cold temperatures, when the body’s heating mechanisms are overwhelmed. Localized injuries on the skin can also occur such as frostbite.
Cold-stressed:
Cold-stress is the least severe but also the earliest sign of a cold-related illness. It is caused by a rapid loss of body heat. The symptoms include shivering, stiff muscles, and only slightly impaired motor function.
The best way to combat cold stress is:
- Reduce heat loss by adding dry clothing or a blanket
- Provide a high calorie food or drink
- Increase heat production (be active)
Hypothermia:
Hypothermia is a more severe environmental illness caused by a temperature drop in the body. Here, the body’s thermoregulatory responses are triggered and starting to become overwhelmed. The patient will be vigorously shivering and complaining of the cold, they will begin to lose coordination or speech and may be confused, they may also have a lower level of responsiveness. This condition is serious because mild hypothermia can quickly develop into severe hypothermia. Severe hypothermia occurs when the patient stops shivering, becomes unresponsive, has shallow respirations, and a weak pulse (Emergency Care for Professional Responders, CRC).
The treatment for mild hypothermia includes:
- Moving the patient into a warm environment
- Keep the patient horizontal
- Provide a high calorie food or drink
- Place heating pads, blankets, and any additional insulation to the patient’s torso
The treatment for severe hypothermia includes:
- Immediately contact 911 (Emergency Medical Services, EMS).
- Treat for mild hypothermia with the exception of providing food or drink
- Continue monitoring vital signs
- Be prepared to start CPR if the patient is not breathing
*Please note that in the event of a medical emergency, always call 911 (EMS)
Sources:
Emergency Care for Professional Responders. (2019). Ottawa: Canadian Red Cross Society.
ONSite Medical Response. Event Medical Service.
75 Trevithen Street | London Ontario | N6C 4T1
[email protected]
519-476-1668
|
|