Title: Exertional Heat Stroke (EHS)<br/>Author: Brian Corwell<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/294/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><p>
<strong>Exertional Heat Stroke (EHS)</strong></p>
<p>
With football preseason starting across the country, it is important to review this topic</p>
<p>
EHS is a medical emergency resulting from progressive failure of normal thermoregulation</p>
<p>
EHS has a high mortality</p>
<p>
-2<sup>nd</sup> most common cause of death in football players</p>
<p>
<strong>History and Exam</strong></p>
<p>
Hyperthermia/Core temperature greater than 40°C (104°F)</p>
<p>
Initial profuse sweating with eventual cessation of sweating with hot, dry skin</p>
<p>
CNS dysfunction – disorientation, confusion, dizziness, inappropriate behavior, difficulties maintaining balance, seizures, coma</p>
<p>
Other: Tachycardia/hyperventilation, fatigue, vomiting, headache</p>
<p>
Multi-organ involvement: CNS, cardiac damage, renal failure, hepatic necrosis, muscle (rhabdomyolysis), GI (ischemic colitis), heme (DIC), ARDS</p>
<p>
<strong>The single most important thing you can do on the field is recognize this entity. Early recognition leads to earlier initiation of treatment which is life saving.</strong></p>
<p>
<strong>Rapid cooling is key. This is often stated but what this means is whole body immersion in ice water. This should be available and ready for all summer practices.</strong></p>
<p>
The temperature needs to be lowered to below 39°C (102°F)</p>
<p>
Also consider a cooling blanket, fanning, ice to body</p>
<p>
<strong>DO NOT put them on ambo without initiating cooling!!!</strong></p>
<p>
Sustaining heat injury predisposes to subsequent heat related injury</p>
<p>
</p>