Heat Exposure, Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke?

 
Summer weather draws us all outdoors for picnics, BBQ, swimming, boating and to the beach.  Because we are all exposed to the heat, I wanted to remind everyone the importance of staying hydrated and looking for signs of heat exposure. We all need to remember to be responsible in the heat so that we can stay safe and well.   Regardless of the outside temperature our normal body temperature is or about 98.6 degrees. F.   Now, in a hot environment or during vigorous physical activities our bodies will produce excess heat.  Our bodies have 2 main mechanisms for getting rid of this excess heat, first, by sweating and second, by the dilation of our blood vessels. If our body is exposed to more heat then it loses, hyperthermia (overheating) results.  While we are all at risk for heat illnesses, children, elderly, people who are diabetic, are obese or who have high blood pressure are at greater risk for Heat Exhaustion, or Heat Stroke.
 
To prevent a heat related illness here are some tips to follow especially when you are planning to be outdoors…
 

1. Remain Hydrated (Drink 8 –12 8oz Glasses of water each day.)
2. When you are out running errands, bring water bottles for the kids
3. Limit your alcohol intake (it will speed up dehydration)
4. Avoid the outdoors during the hottest parts of the day whenever possible
5. Pace yourself when you are working outdoors
6. Try to spend a couple hours each day in the air conditioning
7. Never leave children or pets in parked cars
8. Do not stay in humid or poorly ventilated areas for extended periods of time

 
Heat Exhaustion  
This is the most common of serious heat illnesses.  What happens is our body loses so much water and so many electrolytes through very heavy sweating that the sweat cannot evaporate and therefore cannot cool the body, which will result in heavier sweating and the loss of additional fluids.
 
Recognizing heat exhaustion:
 

1. Cold or clammy skin
2. Dry tongue and thirst
3. Dizziness, weakness, or faintness accompanied by nausea or headache
4. Body temperature could be elevated on rare occasions to 104 degrees

 
What to do if you have these symptoms, or think you are suffering from heat exhaustion:
 

1. Loosen up tight clothing, and remove excessive layers of clothing
2. Lie down and elevate legs
3. Slowly drink up to a liter of water
4. Move into a cooler environment

 
If the symptoms do not clear up within 30 minutes you should seek immediate medical attention.
 
      Heat Stroke  
This is less common than heat exhaustion but much more serious.  It occurs when the body is subject to more heat than it can handle and normal mechanisms for getting rid of the excess heat are overwhelmed.  The body temp rises rapidly to a level where tissues are destroyed.  Heatstroke left untreated will result in death.
 
Recognizing heatstroke:
 

1. Hot, dry, flushed skin
2. Rapid, strong pulse
3. Throbbing headache
4. Dizziness and nausea
5. Confusion or Unconsciousness

 
If you think you or someone else may be suffering from heatstroke call 911 immediately and then proceed with the following steps to help…
 

1. Move person out of the hot environment
2. Set air conditioning to max cooling
3. Remove clothing
4. Cover with wet towels or spray person with cool water and fan them