ALKAHLOUT B, SHARIFF M, SHAIKH M, JACOB NA, HASHIM TH. Heat exhaustion in the emergency department: should not be confused with other forms of heat related illness Med Emergency, MJEM 2018; 26:4-7.
DOIÂ 10.26738/MJEM.2017/mjem26.2018/BA.OAE.210217 Key words: emergency medicine, heat exhaustion, humidity
Correspondent author: Baha Hamdi ALKAHLOUT, MD Emergency Department, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, POB. 3050 , Doha-Qatar bahadoctor@yahoo.com Alkahlout B, MD, Shariff M, MD, Shaikh M, MD, Jacob NA, MD, Hashim Th, MD Emergency Department, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, POB. 3050, Doha, Qatar
Category: Original article Received: Oct. 25, 2017 Revised: Dec. 13, 2017 Accepted: Feb. 21, 2017
Objective: Heat Exhaustion is a common heat related illness presentation seen in Emergency departments in hot and humid areas around the world. Despite being a well-established diagnosis, current literature shows inconsistent understanding of this disorder. In this study we aim to review the different clinical aspects of heat exhaustion. Methods: In this retrospective study conducted in the emergency department at Hamad General Hospital, Doha-Qatar between May 2013 and September 2014, we reviewed the records of all patients diagnosed with heat exhaustion on discharge. Results: Three hundred seventy-eight patients were included. Most of them presented in days where the highest ambient temperature (above 40° C) was associated with a relative humidity up to 60%. All patients had a smooth clinical course with no complications before discharge. Conclusions: Heat Exhaustion is mostly a benign disorder, which should not be considered to overlap with other forms of heat related illnesses. Mild cases can be managed outside emergency departments
ABSTRACT