Heat emergencies
The three types of heat illnesses are heat cramps (often caused by dehydration), heat exhaustion (also caused by dehydration), and heat stroke (shock, a medical emergency). Remove the victim from the heat, take off their clothing, and have them lie down. Apply ice or cool compresses, elevate the feet, give the victim fluids if they are able to drink, and use a fan to blow cool air. Get immediate medical help for heat stroke.
Review Date:
5/6/2018
Reviewed By:
Diane M. Horowitz, MD, Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Northwell Health, Great Neck, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997-
A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
© 1997-
All rights reserved.