Heat-related illnesses. When are they a true emergency?

During the hot, humid months of summer, heat-related illnesses are common. Many of these are minor and self-limited, but heatstroke is a true emergency because the body's cooling mechanisms have been overwhelmed. The condition must be recognized rapidly and treated immediately with fluid replacement and cooling. The most effective and accessible technique for cooling involves the use of cool mist and fans directed across the patient's body to promote rapid evaporation. With aggressive management, the effects of heatstroke are almost uniformly reversible. With proper precautions, its occurrence is universally preventable.