Heat Stroke: Guard Against Too Much Heat!

How can we guard against too much heat? And how do we recognize heat-related illnesses? There’s a lot of information on the web and available from your doctor’s offices, and lots to be said for common sense!

How to Recognize Heat-related Illness

Anyone can suffer from the heat, but it becomes especially dangerous to infants, athletes, outdoor workers, and the elderly. Elders dealing with heart, lung or kidney diseases or who are taking medications are often more vulnerable to heat. They also sweat less than younger people.

Physical symptoms of heat exhaustion include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, headache, muscle cramps and aches and dizziness. Dehydration causes this, usually loss of fluid through sweating. Your blood pressure drops and circulation decreases, which might cause fatigue, fainting or collapse. Heat cramps sometimes follow exercise in hot conditions.

There are generally runners suffering from heat exhaustion following every Beach to Beacon Road Race, and the treatment includes replacing fluids, sometimes intravenously. We also hear of elders suffering heat exhaustion when their environment simply gets too warm for their body to tolerate. Air conditioning, fans, cool drinks, light clothing and shady porches can help. Be sure to drink a lot of water in hot weather, a cup every half hour. Cooling sponge baths can help keep body temperature under control.

Heat stroke is more dangerous and symptoms can sometimes look like a heart attack. People can have symptoms of heat exhaustion before they progress to heat stroke. Common symptoms of heat stoke include high body temperature, absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, strange behavior, hallucinations, confusion and disorientation, agitation, seizures and coma. Heat stroke is extremely serious and patients are treated like heart attack or stroke victims. If you think someone is suffering from heat stroke, seek medical attention immediately, and call emergency services. Loosen clothing and cool the victim with tepid water and fanning until help arrives.

How to Prevent Heat Sicknesses

Be aware of the weather, and don’t over heat to begin with! Think carefully before heavy exercise, tennis, gardening or lawn mowing in mid-day or when it’s hot. Plan those activities for early in the morning or after the sun has set. Drink a lot of water over the course of the whole day, and wear lightweight, loose clothing. Stay in the shade and use an air conditioner or fan. Wear a light hat to protect your head when you go out. (This is why the southern ladies carried parasols.) Avoid alcohol, coffee, tea or other drinks with caffeine, which promote dehydration. Some folks I know time their grocery shopping or mall walking for when they can benefit most from public air conditioning. They attend afternoon matinees at air-conditioned theaters and take advantage of a price discount as well.

When the dog days hit, stay relaxed and hydrated. Your doctor or health care provider has more information on avoiding heat problems. Enjoy the sun in moderation!