Three Types Of Heat Injuries

If you are exercising or if you work in a hot environment, heat injuries can be over looked easily which is an extreme health risk to the person involved.

There are many ways to categorize heat injuries but we will discuss them in 3 major heat induced classes:

Heat cramps are crippling contractions of muscles, usually following exercise. These usually happen to people who are not acclimatized to the specific environment. There is no research to say what causes them specifically but some have shown a depletion of electrolytes is responsible. Thankfully these craps usually subside once the person is completely acclimatized to the environment.

Heat exhaustion is a more serious injury which results from dehydration and a lack of electrolytes. The person affected might feel dizzy, light-headed, fatigued, or develop a headache. If heat exhaustion is in fact suspected, the person should be moved to a cool place and allowed to sip fluids to replace those that have been lost.

Heat stroke is a serious injury that is life threatening. This occurs when the person body is unable to regulate their core temperature. If their core temperature is greater than 104f, it can cause irreversible injuries to vital organs and possible cause death if not treated immediately. Even people who are well hydrated can be affected by heat stroke. Headaches, vomiting, loss of consciousness, confusion, and light-headedness are a few symptoms to watch out for.

There are many drugs and influential drinks which can promote dehydration and should be avoided in hot environments. If you suspect someone is suffering from a heat related injury, it is important to get help immediately.(Justin Jimmerson)