Too Hot to Handle: Controversies in Exertional Heat Stroke Prevention and Treatment

Symposium — Sunday, April 22, 2024 — 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM — Convention Center, Room 25C
Environmental and Exercise Physiology Section — Chair: Orlando Laitano — Co-Chair: Michelle A King

Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is a public health threat with potentially devastating consequences; these can include death, brain damage, and permanent degradation in quality of life.  EHS is often stigmatized as being a relatively simple condition, comprised solely of extreme hyperthermia and central nervous system degradation.  However, it actually encompasses an intricate and complicated etiology that impacts all organ systems of the body, requiring a complex, multifaceted, physiological response to keep the individual from succumbing to the heat.  In this symposium, we will address critical research gaps in our understanding of EHS and present novel insights into the underlying physiology, prevention, and treatment of EHS. These data will be presented by subject matter experts across multiple disciplines, including academic, military and medical professionals.

Speakers

• Exertional heat stroke: Underlying physiology and misconceptions.
  Michael Sawka — School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology


• NSAIDs and Heat Stroke: Evidence from animal models suggesting NSAIDS increase Heat Stroke morbidity.
  Lisa R Leon — Thermal and Mountain Medicine Division, United States Army Research Insitute of Environmental Medicine


• Impact of NSAIDS on thermoregulatory responses in the aged.
  Lacy Alexander — Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University


• Exertional heat stroke: A clinical perspective on a condition with complex etiology and current controversies regarding prevention and treatment.
  William Roberts — Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota


• CHAIR
  Orlando Laitano —