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    5 views24 pages

    Unit 11 - Heat & Cold

    Uploaded by

    lakjayaranasinghe1010

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 24

    Unit 11

    Applications of Heat, Cold & counterirritants For


    Therapeutic Effects
    Application of heat, cold and counterirritants for
    therapeutic effects is known as local application.

    Physiologic effects of Heat and Cold


    Heat Cold
    1. Vasodialation 1. Vasoconstriction
    2. Increase capillary 2. Decrease capillary
    permeability permeability
    3. Increase cellular 3. Decrease cellular
    metabolism metabolism
    4. Increase inflammation 4. Slow bacterial growth.
    Decrease inflammation
    5. Sedative effect 5. Local anesthetic effect
    Factors affecting heat and cold

    1. Body part
    a) Certain areas of the skin have a sensitivity to temperature
    variations.
    b) The inner aspect of the wrist and fore arm, the neck and the
    perineal area are temperature sensitive, while the back of
    hand and the foot are not as sensitive.

    2. Area of body exposed


    a) The larger area exposed to heat and cold, the lower
    tolerance to temperature changes.
    3. Individual tolerance
    a) Tolerance to temperature variations is affected by age and
    physical condition.

    4. Duration of application
    a) Tolerance increases as the length of exposure

    5. Intactness of the skin


    a) Injured skin areas are more sensitive than intact areas to
    temperature variations.
    Purposes of local applications

    1) To reduce pain
    2) To stimulate the removal of waste products accumulated in
    inflammation
    3) To remove excess collection of fluid in the tissue as in sprain
    4) To bring pus to the surface of the body and stimulate
    draining
    5) To stimulate the function of organs such as the bladder
    6) To relax muscles to whist have muscle spasm
    7) To constrict the superficial blood vessels
    Hot application
    ❖ Hot application can be performed in two ways.
    1. Application of dry heat
    2. Application of moist heat

    Application of Dry heat


    1. Water is not in contact with the skin
    2. The application stays at the desired temperature longer
    3. Dry heat does not penetrate as deeply as moist heat
    4. Dry heat needs higher temperatures to achieve desired effect
    5. Burns are a risk of dry heat application
    The methods of application of Dry heat
    1. Hot water bottles
    2. Electric heating pads
    3. Aquathermia pad
    4. Disposable heat pad
    5. Electric cushions, pads or blankets

    Indirect Heat application


    1. Heat lamp
    2. Heat cradle
    Purposes of dry heat application

    1) To dilate blood vessels in the area


    2) To encourage suppuration (form pus)
    3) To dry or draining wounds
    4) To reduce swelling or pain
    5) To increase joint flexibility
    6) To promote healing
    Application of a hot water bottle to a
    patient
    1. To reduces pain and discomfort
    2. To relieve retention ofurine
    3. To provide local warmth
    4. To reduce abdominal distension
    5. To relieve congestion
    Important considerations in application of hot water
    bottles
    1. Identify the patient and explain the procedure
    2. Asses the condition of the skin where heat is to be
    applied. Ex: Rash, Irritation
    3. Read the physician’s order for specific instructions
    Ex: Frequency, type of therapy body area, length of
    time
    1. Fill the water bag
    a) Fill the hot water bag with hot water to warm the
    bag.
    b) Then empty it to detect any leaks.
    c) Check the temperature of the water with
    thermometer.
    d) Fill the bag with one half to 2/3 full of water.
    e) Squeeze the bag until water reaching the neck.
    f) Fasten the top and cover bag with absorbenmt
    clothing.
    6. Close door and curtains and adjust the height of
    the bed if necessary.
    7. Assist the patient to a comfortable position.
    8. Expose the area and drape patient.
    9. Put water proof pad under the area to protect the
    bed.
    10. Do not exceed the prescribed length of time for the
    applications.
    11. Documentation after procedure.
    Electric heating pads
    • Provide constant, even heat are light weight and can
    easily be molded to a body part.
    • Pad covered with cotton or flannel cloth. (To
    prevent burn)

    Aquathermia Pad
    • Are useful in treating muscle sprains and for areas
    with mild inflammation or edema.
    • Pad should be covered with thin cloth.
    • Treatment usually continues for 20-30 minutes.
    Application of moist heat
    • Moist heat as greater and faster effect than dry
    heat.
    • Heat penetrates deeper with a moist
    application.
    • To prevent injury.
    Ex: Moist heat application have lower
    temperature than dry heat.
    Purposes of moist heat application
    1. To relieve pain and enhance (increase the
    quality or value) comfort of the patient
    2. To promote healing, softens exudates
    3. To clean the wound of tissue debris or
    exudates
    4. To apply medication to large skin areas
    5. To relax muscles
    Methods of application of moist heat
    1. Hot formentation
    2. Warm compress
    3. Sterile soaks
    4. Sitz bath

    Hot Formentation

    ❖ There are two types.


    1. Medical formentation
    2. Surgical formentation
    Purposes of medical formentation

    1. To stimulate circulation
    2. To reduce pain
    3. To reduce congestion
    4. To relax muscle
    Ex: menthol and some evapariation drugs
    Warm compresses
    • Warm compresses a reapplied to improve
    circulation, relieve edema and healing
    • Warm compresses are prepared by gauze
    dressing and prescribed warm solution
    • An open wounds sterile technique should be
    applied
    • Duration 20-30 minutes
    Sterile soaks
    ❑ In sterile soaks moist heat is applied over the
    skin surface by immersing the part (dip or
    cover completely)
    Especially an extremity in hot water or
    medicated solution

    Purposes
    o To promote drainage
    o To apply medication
    o To reduce swelling
    o To increase blood circulation
    Sitz bath
    ❑ A sitz bath is a type of bath in which only the
    hips and buttocks are soaked in water or
    saline solution
    Ex: after anal surgeries
    Local application of cold
    Purposes :-
    1) To reduce pain
    2) To reduce temperature
    3) To relieve headache
    4) To control bleeding
    5) To prevent inflammatory process
    6) To reduce edema
    Local effects of cold therapy

    1. Lower temperature of the skin and under the tissue


    2. Causes vasoconstriction and reduces the blood
    circulation to the affected area
    3. Local anesthetic effect

    Systemic effects of cold therapy


    ❖ With extensive application, vasoconstriction causes
    blood to shut from peripheral circulation to
    increase internal blood pressure and start shivering.
    Methods of local application of cold
    1) Dry cold application Ex: ice bag
    2) Ice color
    3) Disposable cold packs

    Application of moist cold


    1) Cold compress
    2) Cold pack
    3) Cold or tapid sponging
    Application of ice bag
    • This is a local dry application of cold
    • Ice is kept in a rubber cap, and the effect of
    cold persists

    Purposes
    1) To relieve headache
    2) To control bleeding
    3) To reduce swelling
    4) To relieve local pain

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