Emergency Medical Minute

Contributor: Megan Hurley, MD Educational Pearls:  Heat cramps Occur due to electrolyte disturbances Most common electrolyte abnormalities are hyponatremia and hypokalemia Heat edema Caused by vasodilation with pooling of interstitial fluid in the extremities Heat rash (miliaria) Common in newborns and elderly Due to accumulation of sweat beneath eccrine ducts Heat syncope Lightheadedness, hypotension, and/or syncope in patients with peripheral vasodilation due to heat exposure Treatment is removal from the heat source and rehydration (IV fluids or Gatorade) Heat exhaustion Patients have elevated body temperature (greater than 38º C but less than 40º C) Symptoms include nausea, tachycardia, headache, sweating, and others Normal mental status or mild confusion that improves with cooling Treatment is removal from the heat source and hydration Classic heat stroke From prolonged exposure to heat Defined as a core body temperature > 40.5º C, though not required for