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Overview of Heat Illness
Key Points
When environmental temperature is>35° C, cooling relies largely on evaporation, but when humidity is>75%, evaporation markedly decreases, so when temperature and humidity are both high, risk of heat illness is high. Among the many risk factors for heat illness are certain drugs and disorders (including those that disturb electrolyte balance or decrease cardiovascular reserve) and extremes of age. Prevention includes common sense measures and maintaining and replacing fluids and sodium. Acclimatization, requiring daily exercise for 8 to 11 days, decreases risk of heat illness. Activity levels should be restricted as temperature, humidity, sunlight, and amount of clothing or gear increase and when air movement decreases. 