Heat Exhaustion |
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Spending time outdoors while it is
warm and pleasant is a great way to
feel rejuvenated and active and to experience
nature in all of its glory. However,
remaining outdoors for a long period
of time on a particularly sunny July
afternoon is definitely not a great
idea. Heat exhaustion refers to the
condition that results from excessive
exposure to very high temperatures combined
with inadequate consumption of liquids.
It is a relatively mild heat-related
illness, but in its advanced form it
can lead to heatstroke, which is a medical
emergency.
Causes and Risk Factors
Heat exhaustion
is a common heat-related illness that
is characterized by a mild-to-moderate
dysfunction of the bodily temperature
control mechanism. It is caused by excessive
heat or strenuous exercise in hot weather
and it results in dehydration and salt
depletion. It may rapidly progress to
heatstroke or extreme hyperthermia that
can cause organ damage. The body’s
cooling mechanism can be negatively
affected by the elevated ambient temperature.
At high temperatures, the body cools
itself largely through the evaporation
of sweat. However, when it is very humid,
this mechanism does not work properly
and the body loses a combination of
fluids and salts (electrolytes). If
this loss of fluid is not adequately
replenished, there may be disturbances
in circulation and the body may experience
a mild form of shock.
Some of the risk factors that increase
the chance of suffering from heat exhaustion
are old age, obesity, medical conditions
such as heart disease and high blood
pressure, sensitive skin, alcohol consumption,
medications such as antidepressants
or antihistamines, recreational drugs,
dehydration, and fever.
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