Description
The term heat illness has been used to describe a wide spectrum of heat-related problems ranging from minor heat cramps to life-threatening heatstroke. Exertional heat illness (EHI) affects mainly athletes and military personnel while Classical, otherwise known as environmental or non-exertional, heat illness (CHI) tends to occur at extremes of age and in predictably susceptible patients. Severe heat illness occurs when homeostatic thermoregulatory mechanisms are overwhelmed resulting in an unconstrained rise in body temperature and subsequent multi-organ dysfunction. This article aims to provide a review of the epidemiology, pathophysiology and management of severe heat illness with an emphasis on the important aspects of anaesthesia and critical care.
