Know heat injury signs

The ongoing summer safety campaign at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
prompted a briefing for servicemembers on potential heat-related
problems.

* Heat edema – swelling of hands and feet associated with heat exposure.

* Heat rash – also known as “prickly heat,” this occurs when clothing
is too restrictive. Salt deposits clog pores in skin and won’t allow
sweat to be excreted.

* Sunburn – can impair a person’s ability to move and will impede dispensation of perspiration.

* Heat tetany – hyperventilation due to heat stress.

* Parade syncope – temporary circulatory failure due to pooling of blood in lower extremities.

* Heat cramps – usually involves muscles in the arms, legs and abdomen.

* Heat exhaustion – usually associated with dehydration and heat stress; can result in unconsciousness.

* Heat stroke – of the eight heat-type conditions, the only one
considered to be a medical emergency. It is given emergency status
because it can actually lead to a person’s death.

* Signs of dehydration – thirst is the most common sign. Usually if a
person feels thirsty it’s an early sign of dehydration. People spending
time in heavy heat need to drink water regularly, even when they don’t
feel thirsty.
Mission oriented protected posture gear and body armor can both add
degrees to body heat. A recommended amount of water to drink, per hour,
can be another solution to heat-related stresses. People should never
drink more than one quart per hour and Jagneaux told the audience that
proper sodium or salt replacement was essential to a person’s
well-being.