What Is Heat-Tetany And How Is it Managed

Introduction

Heat tetany is a condition in which there is hyperventilation and heat stress due to a person being exposed to extreme thermal conditions.

What Are the Characteristic Symptoms of Heat Tetany?

Heat tetany may give rise to an array of symptoms. These symptoms may cause a diagnostic dilemma, as they mimic several other conditions.

The symptoms commonly seen are enlisted as follows;

• Hyperventilation: It is characterized by excessive heavy breaths causing a rise in respiratory rate.

• Respiratory Distress: Difficulty in breathing may occur as a result of excessive heat, causing spasms of the muscles.

• Numbness or Tingling Sensations: Excessive heat may result in stimulation of the nerve endings, resulting in numbness and tingling.

• Muscular Spasms: Muscle spasms occur when an excessive amount of heat causes a rise in body temperature, resulting in involuntary contraction and relaxation.

Who Are Prone to Developing the Condition?

Workers exposed to extreme temperatures or working in harsh heat environments may risk developing heat stress. It is an occupational hazard that may lead to illnesses and injuries.

Heat stress can result in the following conditions:

1. Heat Stroke: It is the condition caused by overheating of the body resulting from either exposure to excess heat or strenuous exercise in a hot environment.

2. Heat Exhaustion: Exhaustion occurs as a result of increased exposure to heat, causing sweating and loss of salts and water from the body.

3. Heat Cramps: Cramps may occur as a result of muscular spasms caused due to excessive heat exposure.

4. Heat Rashes: Burns and blisters may occur on the skin, usually red in color, due to the naked skin being too close to a radiant heat source or exposed to hot environments.

Extreme thermal conditions also increase the risk of injuries. It results in sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness caused due to loss of sodium and potassium salts.

Burns may occur due to accidental contact with hot surfaces or steam.

Workers at risk of heat stress include outdoor workers and workers in hot environments such as firefighters, bakery workers, farmers, construction workers, miners, boiler room workers, factory workers, and others.

How and Why Does Heat Tetany Occur?

When the body gains and retains heat faster than it can dissipate, it fails to cool itself down in the presence of excess heat, which results in heat tetany.

During this, the core temperature rises, causing the heart rate to increase. As the body preserves its heat, the person loses concentration and has difficulty focusing. A task may become irritable or sickening. Often a loss of desire to drink fluids is observed. This is followed by fainting and even death if the person is not cooled down by dissipation of the accumulated heat.

Factors that contribute to heat stress are enlisted as follows;

1. High Air Temperature: When an individual is exposed to extreme heat conditions, suddenly.

2. Radiant Heat Source: Often seen in individuals working in smelting facilities, firefighters, etc., who are prone to radiant heat sources.

3. High Humidity: Increased humidity results in increased sweating. This causes loss of water and salts from the body leading to dehydration.

4. Direct Physical Contact With Hot Objects: This is usually seen in fire-fighters or individuals working in close proximity to heat sources, such as in mines or smelting plants.

5. Strenuous Physical Activities: Activities like rigorous training exercises may result in the body generating more heat than it can dissipate.

How Can Heat Tetany Be Controlled?

• Drinking at least one liter of water in an interval of 15 to 30 minutes of working time to replace fluid body losses.

• Medication labels should be read correctly to know the reaction to heat or fluids.

• Avoiding alcohol consumption.

• Build-up heat tolerance occurs within one to two weeks.

• Taking breaks to cool down for 10 to 15 minutes after two hours is adequate.

• Adaptation of the work and pace to match the weather conditions.

• Heat stress training should be provided to workers and supervisors by the employer.

• Managing work activities and comparing them to employees' physical requirements.

• Using special protective gear.

• Heat stress first aid techniques should be known by all employees.

• Intravenous (IV) fluids are necessary to compensate for fluid or electrolyte loss.

• Bed rest is generally advised, and body temperature may fluctuate abnormally for weeks after heat tetany.

What Are the First Aids that Can be Given to People Suffering From Heat Tetany?

• The individual should be moved to a more relaxed place.

• Removing heavy clothing.

• Placing ice packs with abundant blood supply such as the neck, armpits, and groin.

• Hypothermia should be avoided by cooling below 102 degrees.

• The head and shoulders should be kept in a slightly elevated position.

• Seeking immediate medical attention.

• Need for direct hospital admission.

• Care for seizures if they occur.

• Refrain from using Aspirin or Acetaminophen.

What Are the Potential Risk Factors for Heat Tetany?

Several factors increase the risks for heat tetany, enlisted as follows;

• Age: The ability of the body to deal with extreme heat depends on the strength of the central nervous system. In young individuals, the central nervous system is not fully developed, whereas it begins to deteriorate in adults over 65 years. This makes the body incapable of coping with temperature changes. Both age groups also have difficulty remaining hydrated, increasing the risks.

• Exertion in Hot Weather: Rigorous training, such as participating in sports, or undergoing military drills, can lead to the condition.

What Are the Complications Caused By Heat Tetany?

Several complications can occur due to this condition which depends upon the duration of high body temperature. The more severe complications of this condition include the following;

• Damage to Vital Organs: Heatstroke can cause the brain or other vital organs to swell without a quick response to lower body temperature. Swelling of these organs results in permanent damage to that tissue.

• Death: Heat tetany can prove fatal if left untreated.

Is Heat Tetany Preventable?

Heat tetany is a condition that is both predictable and preventable. The steps taken to prevent heat tetany during hot weather or while working under extreme thermal conditions are enlisted as follows;

• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing.

• Protect against sunburn.

• Drink plenty of fluids.

• Take extra precautions with certain medications.

• Never leave anyone in a parked car.

• Get acclimated.

• Be cautious if at increased risk.

Conclusion:

Heat tetany is a condition in which there is hyperventilation and heat stress due to a person being exposed to extreme thermal conditions. When the body gains and retains heat faster than it can dissipate, it fails to cool itself down in the presence of excess heat, which results in heat tetany. Extreme thermal conditions also increase the risk of injuries, and it results in sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness caused due to loss of sodium and potassium salts.

Burns may occur due to accidental contact with hot surfaces or steam. The ability of the body to deal with extreme heat depends on the strength of the central nervous system. In young individuals, the central nervous system is not fully developed, whereas it begins to deteriorate in adults over 65 years. Heat tetany is a condition that is both predictable and preventable. If body temperature cannot be lowered rapidly, heatstroke can cause the brain or other vital organs to swell and be fatal if left untreated or unattended.