Gout

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• Heat edema: Edema is the accumulation of excess fluid in the body’s tissues and cavities. Heat causes the blood vessels to dilate (expand), so fluid tends to pool in the arms and legs, resulting in a condition known as peripheral edema. • Heat cramps: Heat, especially in combination with exercise, can cause a loss of water and electrolytes in the body, resulting in muscle cramps and spasms, especially in the calves, arms and abdomen. • Heat syncope: Syncope is fainting or a temporary loss of consciousness. When heat leads to dilation of the peripheral blood vessels, blood pressure can drop and the amount of blood flowing to the brain can decline, which can result in fainting. • Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion is caused by dehydration—the loss of water and electrolytes from the body. It is characterized by headache, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, dizziness, fatigue or temporary loss of consciousness. The victim’s mental status remains normal, and their rectal temperature remains below 104°F (40°C). • Heat stroke: A more severe form of heat exhaustion, heat stroke is characterized by a pronounced change in mental status, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, often a cessation of sweating and a rectal temperature exceeding 104°F (40°C).

Treatment: Remove victims from the overheated environment as soon as signs or symptoms of hyperthermia are apparent. The greater the magnitude of the malady, the more aggressive the efforts to cool the victim should be.

• Heat edema is easily resolved with rest and elevation of the extremities. • Heat cramps can be managed with an ice massage (rubbing an ice cube on the affected area for five minutes at a time), stretching and oral fluids. • Heat syncope can be managed by placing victims in a resting, supine position (lying on their back, face up), with their extremities slightly elevated, and by monitoring their vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and respiration). • Heat exhaustion requires monitoring victims’ vital signs and core temperature, administering electrolyte-rich fluids such as Gatorade and