Thermal syndromes as a risk factor for the military of the Brazilian Navy

Abstract

The Brazilian Navy is active in different geographic locations in Brazil and abroad, either by making real missions or rigorous physical training, which frequently occurs, requiring a high degree of physical and psychological healthiness, especially regarding the exposure of the employed crew to large amplitudes temperature during activities. Even man being a homeothermic animal and capable of maintaining body temperature within a predetermined range in an environment with temperature variations, can develop thermal stress conditions when exposed to environmental extremes in temperature. In operational activities of the BN, the important thermal diseases are hyperthermia, hypothermia and immersion in cold water. The consequences of these changes may result from a simple physical discomfort to severe injury with sequelae, resulting in lethal outcome. This paper reviews the literature covering manuals, articles, books and sites of the World Wide Web on the topic by emphasizing the clinical manifestations and treatment of Thermal Diseases. It aims to serve as a source of information, especially for health professionals employed in the operating means on the potential risk of physical impairment of exposed military and the impact on routine or operational activities of the BN.