Heat Illness in Extreme Medicine: Part One

In this lecture, Eoin Walker, the Digital Lead of World Extreme Medicine and an experienced paramedic, provides an in-depth overview of heat illness in the context of extreme medicine.

The lecture covers the spectrum of heat-related illnesses, from minor conditions such as heat oedema and heat syncope to more severe conditions like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The presenter discusses the importance of understanding the body’s thermoregulatory mechanisms, the concept of wet bulb globe temperature, and the differences between environmental and exertional heat illness.

The lecture also explores the risk factors for developing heat-related illnesses, including environmental factors, individual characteristics, and the use of certain medications. The importance of acclimatisation, education, and proper hydration in preventing heat illness is emphasised throughout the lecture.

More Information

Length: 34m

Host: Eoin Walker

Categories: Lectures

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lecture, participants should be able to:

1. Describe the spectrum of heat-related illnesses, from minor to severe conditions, and their key clinical features.

2. Explain the body’s normal thermoregulatory mechanisms and how they are affected by environmental factors and physical exertion.

3. Understand the concept of wet bulb globe temperature and its importance in assessing the risk of heat illness.

4. Identify the main risk factors for developing heat-related illnesses, including environmental, individual, and medication-related factors.

5. Discuss the importance of acclimatisation, education, and proper hydration in preventing heat illness during expeditions and extreme medicine situations.

6. Recognise the potential unreliability of certain diagnostic methods for dehydration in the field and the importance of clinical judgement in assessing heat illness.