Heat hits differently when you're a burn survivor—and this week, we're getting into the science behind why. ☀️

Rachel and Amber sit down with Dr. Craig Crandall, Professor of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Director of the Thermal and Vascular Physiology Laboratory at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. For over 20 years, Dr. Crandall has been continuously funded by the NIH to study the long-term thermoregulatory and cardiovascular effects of severe burn injuries and he brings all of that expertise to the table in this conversation.

We dig into how Dr. Crandall first found his way into burn research, what actually happens in a survivor's body during heat stress, and why heat tolerance looks so different after a burn injury. From there, we walk through the Burn Survivor Heat Risk Calculator—breaking down what each input means (think TBSA, burn location, body weight, activity level, and more) and why it matters for your safety. We also cover cooling strategies, why your heart rate might spike in the heat, and the critical role hydration plays in regulating your body temperature. 🏃

We highly recommend watching this one on YouTube for the full experience!

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Craig Crandall is a professor of Internal medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and is the director of the Thermal and Vascular Physiology laboratory at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. For over 20 years he has been continuously funded by the NIH to assess the long-term thermoregulatory and cardiovascular consequences of severe burn injuries.

• Access the Heat Rick Calculator: https://www.phoenix-society.org/resources/burn-survivor-heat-risk-calculator
• Visit the Thermal & Vascular Physiology Laboratory website: https://www.texashealth.org/ieem/Research/Thermal-and-Vascular-Physiology-Laboratory
• Contact Craig & his team: ieemthermoregulationthd@texashealth.org

Today’s podcast is powered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN)! BCEN is committed to advancing burn care through the Certified Burn Registered Nurse, or CBRN, credential — a certification designed to recognize specialized knowledge and expertise across the burn care continuum. Learn more by visiting https://bcen.org.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.