Running up a temperature: the risks of warm weather for outdoor enthusiasts

Nicholas Rodriguez, MSII - Kaiser Permanente Bernard J Tyson School of Medicine, EMRA MSC Pacific Regional Representative 2022-2023

Breeanna Messner, MSII - Washington State University Elson S Floyd College of Medicine
EMRA MSC West Coordinator, 2022-2023

Kit Sitterley, OMSIII - Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
EMRA MSC Southwest Regional Representative, 2022-2023

With the arrival of Spring and record-high temperatures and humidity gripping many parts of the country, annual emergency department visits for heat stroke and other exertional heat illness have seen a frightening increase in recent years. While the excitement of returning to competition and resuming outdoor activities remains palpable, taking the necessary steps and prevention efforts needs to remain at the forefront of the minds of athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and others who exert themselves to protect themselves from heat related illnesses. Managing and preventing exertional heat illness and heat stroke is multifactorial. Clinically, it is defined as a core body temperature that rises above 40°C, accompanied by hot, dry skin and central nervous system abnormalities such as delirium, convulsions, or coma¹. In addition, heat related illnesses are particularly harmful, because body temperatures over 40°C destroy our tissues and result in multi-organ damage and late developing complications like rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney injury, and acute liver failure².

Overall, the CDC estimates an average of 702 heat-related deaths, over 67,000 emergency department visits, and over 9,000 hospitalizations every year due to extreme heat in the United States³. Estimates for the incidence of heat-related illnesses in the United States vary based on the populations described. Among U.S. high school athletes, there are approximately 9000 cases annually, and among U.S. Armed Forces personnel there were over 2,500 cases of either heat-related illness or heat stroke in 2017. Among emergency department visits, from 2006-2010 an estimated five per 10,000 visits were due to heat related illness⁴.

Yet, it is not only extreme heat or physical exertion that leads to heat stroke or heat-related injuries. A myriad of predisposing factors significantly impair thermoregulation. These include lower levels of physical fitness, elderly adults with comorbidities, sleep deprivation, dehydration, and those with little or no access to air conditioning^5,6. While management and prevention of heat stroke and heat-related illness is extensive, morbidity and mortality are directly related to the amount of time a patient’s core body temperature is elevated.

Especially among patients presenting with suspected heat stroke, mortality outcomes are correlated to time to initiation of cooling⁷. Beginning in the field at the time of collapse, cooling should be initiated immediately with ice, tepid water, or other available means to reduce the risk of long term morbidity and mortality⁸. For cases of exertional heat stroke among athletes, organ damage, morbidity, and mortality significantly increased when cooling is delayed more than 30 minutes⁹, hence the importance of pre-hospital cooling measures.

When it comes to treating heat-related illnesses, ice-water immersion is the first line therapy for decreasing body temperature quickly and effectively. However, this is not always widely available, so the next best thing to do is to place a fan in front of the individual while spraying water on them, also known as evaporation treatment. An alternative option is to dampen a bed sheet or blanket in cold water and wrap the individual in it¹⁰. Treatment is aimed at decreasing the core body temperature rapidly, but correcting electrolyte abnormalities and fluid resuscitation should also be considered when indicated¹¹.

Although there are effective and minimally invasive treatments for heat-related illnesses, prevention is integral to keeping athletes and outdoor enthusiasts healthy. Namely, acclimating to the increasing temperatures by gradually increasing heat exposure and intensity, appropriate hydration prior to exercising in the heat, being active with a group who is aware of the symptoms of heat-related illnesses, and using cooling towels or ice packs to decrease body temperatures¹².

In summary, heat related illness is an increasingly prevalent concern presenting to the emergency department. Prevention of heat illness, as well as rapid time to cooling when injury occurs, are crucial to preventing organ damage, morbidity, and mortality.

References:

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