This summer has been fairly mild compared to some, but this week everyone needs to be prepared to ramp up the heat. It is important for everyone to understand ways to keep cool during this heat wave coming through our area to prevent heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Read on to learn about the two, and ways to prevent them.
Healthy Tip Tuesday is brought to you in partnership with Trinity Health Systems.
Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. This most serious form of heat injury, heatstroke, can occur if your body temperature rises to 104 F or higher.
What are the symptoms?
- High body temperature
- Altered mental state and behavior.
- Alteration in sweating: Skin will feel hot to the touch, but the skin will be dry.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rapid breathing
- Racing heart rate
- Headache
This requires immediate medical attention, and it is best to call 911.
While waiting for help to arrive a person can attempt to cool the body by:
- Getting the other person in the shady or indoors
- Removing excess clothing
- Cool them however possible: cool bath, spray with water, ice pack, etc.
If left untreated it can quickly damage a person’s brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles. The damage worsens the longer treatment is delayed.
Heat exhaustion is a condition that happens when your body overheats. Symptoms may include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse. Heat exhaustion is one of three heat-related illnesses, with heat cramps being the mildest and heatstroke being the most serious.
What are the symptoms?
- Cool, moist skin with goose bumps when in the heat
- Heavy sweating
- Fainting
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Weak, rapid pulse
- Low blood pressure when one stands
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Headaches
What to do if a person has heat exhaustion:
- Stop all activity and rest.
- Move to a cooler place.
- Drink cool water or sports drink.
Contact the doctor if symptoms worsen or they do not improve within one hour.
