In the second part of the lecture on heat illness, Eoin delves into the pathophysiology of heat-related illnesses, focusing on the mechanisms of heat stroke and the body’s thermoregulatory responses.
The lecture discusses the process of heat acclimatisation and its impact on exercise performance and sodium conservation. A case study is presented to illustrate the clinical presentation of heat exhaustion. The lecture also covers the risk factors for developing heat illness, including individual, environmental, and exertional factors, as well as the importance of prevention strategies such as appropriate clothing, rest breaks, and hydration.
The management of heat illness is discussed, with an emphasis on aggressive cooling measures and the use of oral rehydration therapy. The lecture concludes by discussing dilutional hyponatraemia and providing a summary of key points for expedition medics.