g. Skin Trauma. Heat rash and acute sunburn are examples.
h. Previous Heat Injury. A person who has had heat exhaustion or heatstroke
is predisposed to future attacks of heat injury.
i.
Recent Use of Alcohol (24 Hours)/Drugs.
(1)
Alcohol dehydrates a person.
(2) Some drugs may compromise cardiac output, respiration, sweating, or
increase the basal metabolism rate thus producing more heat. Other drugs inhibit
sweating (atropine) scopolamine, antihistamines, some tranquilizers, cold medicines,
j. Chronic Use of Diuretics. This may affect reaction to heat.
k. Dehydration. Heat affects a dehydrated person.
l. Lack of Sleep. This is a major factor predisposing to heat injury because the
cardiovascular system (CVS), muscular, and possibly the central nervous system (CNS)
are already compromised.
m. Additional factors.
(1)
Age--persons over 40 years old.
(2)
Poor personal hygiene.
(3)
Poor general health.
4-16. GENERAL
The risk of heat injury is much higher in overweight, unfit, persons than in those
of normal weight. Therefore, special care must be taken when such persons are
exposed to high temperatures. One attack of either heatstroke or severe heat
exhaustion may predispose to a second. An individual once affected should be
exposed to heat with caution. Predisposition is not developed in the case of heat
cramps.
MD0587
4-10