What are the 5 heat illnesses?

What are the 5 heat illnesses?

Heat Stress – Heat Related Illness

• Types of Heat-related Illnesses. Heat Stroke | Heat Exhaustion | Rhabdomyolysis |Heat Syncope | Heat Cramps | Heat Rash.
• Heat Stroke. Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness.
• Heat Exhaustion.
• Rhabdomyolysis.
• Heat Syncope.
• Heat Cramps.
• Heat Rash.

What are the main causes of extreme heat?

Some factors that might increase your risk of developing a heat-related illness include:

• High levels of humidity.
• Obesity.
• Fever.
• Dehydration.
• Prescription drug use.
• Heart disease.
• Mental illness.
• Poor circulation.

What occurs when the body is over exposed to heat?

Heat exhaustion is a condition whose symptoms may include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse, a result of your body overheating. It’s one of three heat-related syndromes, with heat cramps being the mildest and heatstroke being the most severe.

What are two heat illnesses?

Heat rash (also called prickly heat or miliaria), which is a stinging skin irritation that turns your skin red. Heat cramps, which are painful spasms in your muscles. Heat exhaustion, which is caused by too few fluids and long hours in high temperatures, causes heavy sweating, a fast and weak pulse and rapid breathing.

Who is most at risk for heat-related illness?

Those at greatest risk for heat-related illness include infants and children up to four years of age, people 65 years of age and older, people who are overweight, and people who are ill or on certain medications.

What do you do in extreme heat conditions?

Take cool showers or baths.

• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Use your oven less to help reduce the temperature in your home.
• If you’re outside, find shade.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
• Avoid high-energy activities or work outdoors, during midday heat, if possible.

What are the dangers of heat illness?

Prolonged or intense exposure to hot temperatures can cause heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat stroke (also known as sun stroke). As your body works to cool itself under extreme or prolonged heat, blood rushes to the surface of your skin. As a result, less blood reaches your brain, muscles, and other organs.

Why is Heat Dangerous?

Severe heat waves have caused catastrophic crop failures, thousands of deaths from hyperthermia , and widespread power outages due to increased use of air conditioning. A heat wave is considered extreme weather that can be a natural disaster, and a danger because heat and sunlight may overheat the human body.

Why is heat so dangerous for the elderly?

A heat wave can be dangerous for any person. However, it is especially so for babies, young children and the elderly for various reasons. As a person gets older, there temperature control mechanisms are not as efficient . In fact it is not uncommon for an older person to be feeling cold even in a warm to hot environment.

What is a dangerous humidity level?

Humidity is considered too high when its level goes above 45% – 50%, sometimes as high as 80% and up. High humidity can be especially dangerous when combined with high temperature – as mentioned above, high humidity disrupts the body’s ability to cool itself, which may lead to a heat stroke.