#heat syncope

[creativecuquilu]

The doctor at the Punishment Dome!

[studyhelianthus]

Fainting, Heat Exhaustion, and Heat Stroke.

Syncope (Fainting) is a sudden loss of consciousness, usually temporary and typically caused by a lack of oxygen in the brain. The brain oxygen deprivation has many possible causes, including hypotension (low blood pressure).  

Heat syncope or fainting is a mild form of heat illness that often results from physical exertion when it is hot. It occurs when your body, in an effort to cool itself, causes the blood vessels to dilate to such an extent that blood flow to the brain is reduced. Inadequate fluid replacement, which leads to dehydration, usually contributes greatly to this illness.

What to do when a victim does not regain consciousness quickly: If you suspect that the cause is excessive heat, move the person to a cooler place. Lay the person on her back, elevating the legs eight to 12 inches. This will help blood flow to the brain. Wipe her forehead with a cool damp cloth. Loosen any tight clothing, especially at the neck and waist. If she is alert, give her a sports drink such as Gatorade or a glass of water with a teaspoon of salt. Also, make sure there is plenty of fresh air, particularly if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. Check the ABCs -- airway, breathing, and circulation. Gently tilt the victim's head back, lifting the chin. This will help air get through the nose and mouth. Put your ear to the person's mouth to make sure you can hear breathing. If the victim is not breathing, call 911 and begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.

If the victim vomits, roll her onto her side to prevent her from choking. Check for injuries, especially if the person has fallen. If the victim is bleeding or injured, begin appropriate first aid.

Heat exhaustion can quickly lead to heat stroke, which is a serious medical condition that requires immediate medical help. If you are experiencing heat exhaustion for an extended period of time, it can lead to heat stroke. 

*Heat Exhaustion: Cool the child with a cool (but not ice-cold) water spray. If cool water spray is not available, place cool damp cloths on the neck, armpit, and groin area. Phone or send someone to phone 9-1-1. (Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED Student Workbook, Page 47.)

Heat stroke can come on quickly if it is very hot or you are overexerting yourself. That’s why it’s important to begin treatment at the first signs of heat exhaustion. Heat stroke is life threatening and is caused by dehydration. 

*Heat stroke: Put the child in cool (but not ice-cold) water up to his neck if possible, or spray him with cool water. (Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED Student Workbook, Page 48.)

Prevention: If you begin experiencing symptoms of heat exhaustion, try to find a cooler location if possible. For example, if you are outside, look for a shady area. If you are indoors, remove a layer of clothing or turn on the air conditioning.

You may also want to lie down, or if that isn’t possible, stop doing any strenuous activities. That may help your body regulate temperature.

Drink water or a sports drink to help re-hydrate yourself. Sports drinks have electrolytes, which your body loses through excessive sweating. 

[dendroica]

Feeling faint with heat or even fainting because of it isn’t the same thing as “heat stroke.” It’s known as “heat syncope.” Unlike some assertions people are making about it now, yes, you can recover your equilibrium from it pretty quickly once you get a chance to cool down and rest for a bit. Fainting is usually the result of a drop in blood pressure or change in heart rate that reduces the blood reaching the brain, as occurs in people of all ages with sudden or prolonged standing or being overheated. Lying down and restoring that circulation is a pretty rapid fix. Clinton’s campaign already released a statement saying that her feeling of faintness was because of feeling overheated. She was wearing black on a warm morning, and millions of people have had the exact same experience, with no ominous aftermath. Clinton’s doctor released a letter last year detailing Clinton’s health at the time, including the medications she was taking. Among her few medications is warfarin (Coumadin), a “blood thinner” that her doctor has said was continued because of Clinton’s history of deep vein thrombosis. A side effect of warfarin can be light-headedness or fainting.

Is It Really Possible To Faint From Heat, As Clinton Claims?