Posted by SalArmy4me on August 2, 2001, at 16:13:12
In reply to Hyperthermia with Lithium and Chlorpromazine, posted by annettehunt52 on August 2, 2001, at 15:40:42
Leads From the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Atlanta, Ga: Heat-Related Illnesses and Deaths--United States, 1994-1995. JAMA. 274(3):209-210, Jul 19, 1995:
"The risk for heat-related illness and death also may be higher among persons who use certain drugs [1], including neuroleptics (e.g., haloperidol or chlorpromazine), which impair thermoregulatory function; medications with anticholinergic effects (e.g., medication for Parkinson disease), which inhibit perspiration; and major tranquilizers (e.g., phenothiazines, butyrophenones, and thiozanthenes). In addition, excessive alcohol consumption can cause dehydration and may be a predisposing factor in heat-related illness [5].
Salt tablets are not recommended and are potentially dangerous [1]. Persons whose fluid consumption is restricted for medical reasons or who use diuretic medications should not alter their fluid intake patterns without the advice of their physicians. The risk for illness and death also may be increased in persons who are unacclimatized to the heat and who work or exercise vigorously outdoors, fail to rest frequently, or do not drink sufficient quantities of fluids; acclimatization to warm environments may require gradual exposure to high temperatures for 10-14 days [6].
The use of an artificially cooled environment (e.g., air-conditioning or evaporative cooling units), even for a few hours each day, will reduce the risk for heat-related illness [5]. Fans can be a source of relief in areas with low humidity. However, because increased air movement (e.g., fans) has been associated with increased heat stress when the ambient temperature exceeds approximately 100 F (37.8 C) and because fans are not protective at temperatures >90 F ( >32.2 C) with humidity >35% (the exact temperature varies with the humidity), fans should not be used for preventing heat-related illness in areas of high humidity [5,7]. Persons without home air conditioners should be assisted in taking advantage of such environments in private or in public places, such as shopping malls. Immersion in cool water (59.0 F-61.0 F) also can be used for maintaining acceptable body temperature..."
poster:SalArmy4me
thread:73141
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010731/msgs/73146.html