HEAT RELATED DEATH

Heat-related deaths and illness are preventable yet annually many people succumb to extreme heat. According to the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 1979-2003, excessive heat exposure caused 8,015 deaths in the United States. During this period, more people in this country died from extreme heat than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes combined. In 2001, 300 deaths were caused by excessive heat exposure.

People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable to compensate and properly cool themselves. The body normally cools itself by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating just isn't enough. In such cases, a person's body temperature rises rapidly. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs.

Several factors affect the body's ability to cool itself during extremely hot weather. When the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly. Other conditions related to risk include age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol use.

Because heat-related deaths are preventable, people need to be aware of who is at greatest risk and what actions can be taken to prevent a heat-related illness or death. The elderly, the very young, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases are at highest risk. However, even young and healthy individuals can succumb to heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather. Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death. If a home is not air-conditioned, people can reduce their risk for heat-related illness by spending time in public facilities that are air-conditioned.

Forensic Investigation/Examination

Forensic Investigation/Examination of a heat related death is performed by Dr. Glen Groben, Forensic Pathologist at the Ada County Coroner's Office.  Dr. Groben answers questions concerning Heat Related Death (Hyperthermia):

What would you expect the autospy findings to reveal concerning Hyperthermia?

Body temperature over 105 degrees at the time of death. The physical findings are usually nonspecific with swelling of the brain and congestion of the internal organs. Dehydration may be associated with cases of extended exposure with hyperthermia. In some cases the muscle can break down and a condition called rhabdomyolysis may occur. Laboratory test are necessary to confirm this.

What are the Clinical Symptoms of Heat Stroke?

• high body temperature
• dry skin with absence of sweating
• rapid pulse
• rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
• altered mental status with confusion, agitation, possibly hallucinations
• eventual coma and death if untreated
• Treatment: this is a medical emergency and a call for help or dial 911 is appropriate. Remove from hot environment to a cool place or into a cool bath. May also cover in damp cloth or spray with water and direct air from a fan onto the person Give cool liquids only if the person is awake and aware

What are the Clinical Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion?

• moist pale skin with excessive sweating
• muscle cramps
• elevated pulse rate
• very thirsty with dizziness and possibly fainting
• nausea and headache
• elevated temperature above 100 degrees
• Treatment is with cool liquids (not alcohol), rest, emersion in cool water or cool sponge bath, cool surroundings.

Summertime activity, whether on the playing field or the construction site, must be balanced with measures that aid the body's cooling mechanisms and prevent heat-related illness.

HEAT RELATED DEATH

Heat-related deaths and illness are preventable yet annually many people succumb to extreme heat. According to the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 1979-2003, excessive heat exposure caused 8,015 deaths in the United States. During this period, more people in this country died from extreme heat than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes combined. In 2001, 300 deaths were caused by excessive heat exposure.

People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable to compensate and properly cool themselves. The body normally cools itself by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating just isn't enough. In such cases, a person's body temperature rises rapidly. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs.

Several factors affect the body's ability to cool itself during extremely hot weather. When the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly. Other conditions related to risk include age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol use.

Because heat-related deaths are preventable, people need to be aware of who is at greatest risk and what actions can be taken to prevent a heat-related illness or death. The elderly, the very young, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases are at highest risk. However, even young and healthy individuals can succumb to heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather. Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death. If a home is not air-conditioned, people can reduce their risk for heat-related illness by spending time in public facilities that are air-conditioned.

Forensic Investigation/Examination

Forensic Investigation/Examination of a heat related death is performed by Dr. Glen Groben, Forensic Pathologist at the Ada County Coroner's Office.  Dr. Groben answers questions concerning Heat Related Death (Hyperthermia):

What would you expect the autospy findings to reveal concerning Hyperthermia?

Body temperature over 105 degrees at the time of death. The physical findings are usually nonspecific with swelling of the brain and congestion of the internal organs. Dehydration may be associated with cases of extended exposure with hyperthermia. In some cases the muscle can break down and a condition called rhabdomyolysis may occur. Laboratory test are necessary to confirm this.

What are the Clinical Symptoms of Heat Stroke?

• high body temperature
• dry skin with absence of sweating
• rapid pulse
• rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
• altered mental status with confusion, agitation, possibly hallucinations
• eventual coma and death if untreated
• Treatment: this is a medical emergency and a call for help or dial 911 is appropriate. Remove from hot environment to a cool place or into a cool bath. May also cover in damp cloth or spray with water and direct air from a fan onto the person Give cool liquids only if the person is awake and aware

What are the Clinical Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion?

• moist pale skin with excessive sweating
• muscle cramps
• elevated pulse rate
• very thirsty with dizziness and possibly fainting
• nausea and headache
• elevated temperature above 100 degrees
• Treatment is with cool liquids (not alcohol), rest, emersion in cool water or cool sponge bath, cool surroundings.

Summertime activity, whether on the playing field or the construction site, must be balanced with measures that aid the body's cooling mechanisms and prevent heat-related illness.