William M. Adams - Exertional Heat Illness: A Clinical and Evidence-Based Guide

This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland

The idea for this book arose from collaborative work and many conversations that we have had with friends and colleagues who share an interest on the topic of exertional heat illness. Having a resource such as this available for clinicians and scientists is essential for disseminating the knowledge necessary to enhance the health and safety of the physically activefirst, to provide them with a current and comprehensive overview of the prevention, recognition, treatment, and care of the various medical conditions that fall within the realm of exertional heat illness, and second, to provide a setting-specific (i.e., athletics, military, occupational, and road race medicine) discussion on exertional heat illness for the consideration of the medical providers working in these settings.

As medicine has evolved, and as it will continue to evolve, we have and will continue to garner new knowledge on how to reduce the risk of mortality and morbidity from a variety of pathologies afflicting the worlds population. Exertional heat illness is unique in that it can appear in generally healthy and physically active individuals. The most severe form, exertional heat stroke, is life-threatening and requires immediate triage and care to optimize survival. What is fascinating about the topic of exertional heat illness, particularly exertional heat stroke, are the vast historical accounts of this condition, some dating back to the Roman Empire, that in some instances have shaped the course of history. As clinicians and scientists have begun to pursue the various facets of exertional heat illness, we have gained a deeper understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology involved, the complexities of which continue to steer the path for future research.

While we as clinicians and scientists have a better understanding of how to reduce risk, but more importantly, to ensure survival from exertional heat stroke, we are continually plagued with news from mass media surrounding young, seemingly healthy and fit individuals (i.e., athletes, laborers, and soldiers) dying from this survivable condition. The recent deaths of athletes Jordan McNair from the University of Maryland; Braeden Bradforth from Garden City Community College, Garden City, Kansas; Zach Polsenberg from Riverdale High School in Fort Myers, Florida; and other notable and highly profiled cases such as Korey Stringer and Max Gilpin are just a few among many young individuals who have succumbed to a medical condition that would have been 100% survivable had the appropriate policies and procedures been in place at the time of their collapse.

We believe this book provides clinicians and scientists at all levels of training and experience a practical, yet thorough, review of exertional heat illness that can be used as a resource to guide them in their practice/research. We also hope that this text can act as a conduit for medical providers from various fields of medicine (athletic training, emergency medical services, emergency room physicians, sports medicine and primary care physicians, etc.) who may encounter exertional heat illness to work closely together to guarantee that current evidence-based practices for the appropriate management and care of exertional heat illness are consistent and seamless throughout healthcare.