Environmental heat diagnoses

Background

• Heat related illnesses includes a wide range diagnoses from benign heat rash to heat stroke.

Types of heat dissipation

• • Conduction: heat exchange between two surfaces in contact (placing ice pack in axilla)
  • Convection: heat exchange between a surface and a fluid (fanning)
  • Radiation: transfer of heat between body and environment through electromagnetic waves (relient on temperature gradient)

Heat Illness Types

All types are due to inadequate thermoregulation

1. Classic Heat Illness
   • Occurs without physical exertion
2. Exertional
   • Preceded by physical activity

Differential Diagnosis

Environmental heat diagnoses

• Heat cramps
• Heat edema
• Heat exhaustion
• Heat tetany
• Heat stroke
• Heat syncope
• Miliaria
• Hyperthermia

See Also

• Celsius Fahrenheit Temperature Conversion