Heat Illness - A Review of Military Experience (Part 2)

Heat-Related Deaths in American Football: An Interdisciplinary Approach

“…This stands to reason, for although there are ancient, even biblical references to individuals succumbing to the heat during "barley harvests" and military campaigns, it was not until World War II that scientists collectively advocated the importance of acclimatization and drinking water. 12 Perhaps the first-noted football death attributable to the heat took place in October 1927, when Donald Morey, a 23-year-old right guard for Manhattan College, became "overcome during the football game with Rutgers . .…”

Myocarditis and the military patient

“…Heat illness is a common diagnosis in Servicemen and women, presenting both on exercise and on operations 36. The principal manifestations include hyperpyrexia with renal insufficiency and electrolyte imbalance, disseminated intravascular coagulation and neurological dysfunction; however, cardiac involvement is common and may present as pulmonary oedema, systolic dysfunction, arrhythmia and death.…”

Heat illness

“…The main individual factors are extremes of age, co-morbidities, concurrent medications or alcohol and the level of physicial conditioning including cardiovascular fitness and obesity. Other factors include dehydration, inadequate acclimatisation to a hot climate, lack of sleep and excessive or restrictive clothing (8,10,12,17,18,30,33,(36)(37)(38)(39)(40). Table 1 summarises those conditions associated with an increased risk of heat illness and Table 2 lists those medications thought to have a role in the development or exacerbation of heat illness.…”