Environmental Conditions Chapter 17

Heat Related Illnesses Thermoregulation Hypothalamus Homeostasis Increased metabolic rate Increased heart rate Increased cardiac output Hyperthermia: Internal heat produced exceeds external heat loss.

Heat Related Illnesses Radiation Loss of heat from warmer to cooler Conduction Direct transfer of heat Convection How fast air next to body is exchanged Evaporation Sweat evaporates into the atmosphere

Heat Related Illnesses Factors that affect heat tolerance Acclimatization 7-10 days of exposure Hydration Drink before you’re thirsty Electrolyte Replacement Sodium, chloride, magnesium, and potassium Clothing Light colored, light-weight, porous Age Younger people are more limited Sex Females vs. males Diuretics Creatine Practice Times Mornings and evenings Weight Charts

Heat Related Illnesses Heat Cramps Involuntary muscle spasms due to excessive water and electrolyte loss Commonly occur in calf and abdominal muscles Passive stretching of the muscles involved Ice massage over areas involved Cool fluids with electrolytes

Heat Related Illnesses Heat Exhaustion Thirst, headache, dizziness, mild anxiety, fatigue, weak and rapid pulse, and low blood pressure Move person to cool area Remove unnecessary clothing and equipment Rapidly cool the body Lots of cool fluids with electrolytes Intravenous fluids may be necessary

Heat Related Illnesses Heat Stroke Thermoregulatory system is overloaded, cooling mechanisms fail to dissipate heat, hypothalamus shuts down sweating Burning up, confused, disoriented, agitated, profuse sweating (then no sweating), unsteady gait Shallow breathing, decreased BP, rapid weak pulse, seizures then coma Immediately activate EMS, treat same as heat exhaustion

Heat Related Illnesses Heat Syncope Stand up too fast after blood pools Replace fluids lost Miliaria Rubra Itchy skin that leads to sweat glands being blocked Cool bath, apply calamine lotion Miliaria Profunda Sweat glands no longer produce sweat

Cold Related Illnesses Hypothermia Reduced body temperature Cutaneous vasoconstriction Shivering increases metabolic rate Hormone thyroxine is released increasing metabolic rate Try to reduce heat loss through respiration, radiation, conduction, convection, and evaporation

Cold Related Illnesses Raynaud’s Syndrome Bilateral spasm of blood vessels causing hands to become cold, pale, and numb Cold-Induced Bronchospasm Asthma like symptoms caused by cold Frostbite Injuries Freezing of soft tissue Immerse area in warm water

Cold Related Illnesses Hypothermia Dangerous to athletes exposed to cold for long periods of time Numbness sets in, shivering prevents normal functions If shivering ceases body shunts blood to protect life Death is imminent if no intervention takes place

Altitude Illnesses Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) Hypoxia occurring with fast ascent over 8200 feet Headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, insomnia, dyspnea, decreased urination, and tachycardia High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) AMS at altitudes over 9000ft

Altitude Illnesses High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) Usually occurs over 10,000 feet Acclimatization usually takes 10-20 days and should be performed prior to exertion at elevations

Air Pollutants Carbon Monoxide Sulfur Oxides Nitrogen Oxides Ozone Primary Particulates

Thunderstorms Burns, electrical mechanical forces, blunt trauma from splintering Cardiac Asystole Apnea Count “flash to bang” divide by 5= approximate distance in miles Within 6 miles you should end all outdoor activities and get under cover