Heat Illness – A Practical Primer

摘要

In the United States, heat injury results in approximately 650 preventable deaths annually. From 1999–2009, over 7,000 heat-related deaths were reported with 72% directly due to heat exposure and the remaining 28% due to heat-in- duced exacerbations of underlying medical conditions. Also, annually, an estimated 9,000 high school athletes are treated for exertional heat illness and this number is increasing. 1 Heat illnesses encompass the spectrum of disease from heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, to heat stroke. With proper precautions, heat-related deaths are entirely prevent- able. While typically believed to be a problem of those in warmer environs, the highest recorded incidence of exer tional heat stroke occurs at the Falmouth Road Race in Massachu- setts with a reported rate of 1–2 events per 1,000 entrants. However, proper planning and vigilance have resulted in no deaths. 2,3 This review examines the physiology, risk fac- tors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of heat illness.