Preface

*Heat Illness and Critical Care* describes the management of acute and critically ill patients due to exposure to the heat. It discusses important topics in acute care and diagnosis of heat-related illnesses. Chapters address professionalism and teamwork in the management of heat-related illnesses. This book is a useful resource for emergency and acute care physicians, EMS staff, and acute and critical care nurses. We are thankful to Ms. Kristina Kardum Cvitan for her continuous help at all stages of the publication process. I am indebted and thankful to Dr. Firdos for her support and encouragement during the editing process. I am grateful for the patience and cooperation of my daughters Dr. Amara and Dr. Jaza. Finally, I wish to acknowledge the participating authors for their valuable contributions.

> **Nissar Shaikh** Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar

**1**

**Chapter 1**

*Nissar Shaikh*

**1. Introduction**

economic impact [1].

**2. Risk factors**

**3. Management**

disturbances [2].

Introductory Chapter: Heat-Related

Heat-related illnesses are increasing rapidly and significantly. In the past two decades, there has been more than 50% increase in heat-related illness, morbidity and mortality particularly in elderly patients. The increase in heat-related illness is closely related to global warming and extreme heat events from east to the west. This increase in heat-related illness is causing a rise in intensive care therapy utilization, hospitalization with simoultenousely significant increase in global health burden and larger

With further expected rise in global temperature by mid-century will result in a fivefold rise in extreme heat events and instead of occurring once in 50 years, they will increase by 14 times [1]. Hence it is of the utmost importance to be aware of these

The risk of these heat-related illnesses increases significantly when exposed to the extremes of temperature particularly in susceptible individuals such as extremes of age, pregnant and patients with multiple comorbidities. The environmental risk for occurrence of these illnesses ranges from poor socioeconomical status to the limited

Heat stroke is the most serious of the heat-related illnesses, and it is a medical emergency, classified into exertional which typically occurs in healthy persons and classic heat stroke which occurs in patients with risk factors and comorbidities. In heat stroke, there are abnormalities in dissipation of the excessive body heat leading to the cellular and organ dysfunction including damage to the gastrointestinal system causing endotoxemia and triggering profound systemic inflammatory response syndrome causing further cellular and organ injury. The triad of heat stroke is elevated body temperature (40°C), intravascular coagulopathy and central nervous system

Illness – Need for Awareness,

Attention and Research

heat-related illnesses, their management and prevention.

labor protection and accesses to health care [1].
