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Avoid heat-related illness

  • Published
  • By Rick Fleming
  • AEDC Safety

Summer time! Whether at work, home or play we are approaching the hottest time of the year, so let’s be prepared to avoid heat-related illnesses.

Every year we talk about heat-related illnesses and every year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tells us that, “In the United States an average of 702 heat-related deaths occurs. On average there are 67,512 emergency department visits and an average of 9,235 people are hospitalized due to heat.”

We seem to downplay how serious being overheated can be. Heat-related illnesses are preventable. We all need to be knowledgeable of the symptoms and what to do if you or a co-worker shows signs of having a heat-related illness.

Reminders for preventing heat-related illness

  • Plan your outdoor activity for when it’s coolest, such as morning and evening hours.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, sunscreen and a wide brim hat.
  • Watch for symptoms like your heart pounding, gasping for breath, feeling lightheaded, confused, weak or faint. If you experience any of these stop all activity, get into a cool area or into the shade, and rest.
  • Drink plenty of fluids, regardless of how active you are. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. The Red Cross says a cool drink containing carbohydrates and electrolytes, such as a sports drink, coconut water or milk, are the best choices for hydration and replenishment.
  • Stay away from sugary or alcoholic drinks. Also, avoid very cold drinks because they can cause stomach cramps.
  • If you have any medical condition, be sure you talk with your doctor about your physical limitations and how best to stay hydrated.
  • Don’t forget your pets! Provide plenty of fresh water and leave the water in a shady area.
  • When working in the heat, monitor the condition of each other.
  • Do not leave children or pets in cars: Cars can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures, even with a window cracked open. Keep a reminder in the front seat when you have a child in the car.

Pay special attention to high risk factors, which include:

  • Adults 65 years old or older
  • Children less than 4 years old
  • Sunburn
  • Dehydration
  • Heart disease
  • High humidity
  • Illness or fever
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Being overweight
  • Poor overall health
  • Some prescription drugs

Stages of heat related illness

Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms, usually in the legs and abdomen caused by loss of fluids and electrolytes when sweating. Often these are the first sign that the body is having trouble regulating body temperature. Without appropriate care this can escalate to heat exhaustion.

Care for heat cramps if medical attention is not necessary:

  • Stop all activity and sit quietly in a cool place.
  • Drink clear juice or a sports beverage.
  • Do not return to strenuous activity too soon for fear of relapse.
  • Seek medical attention for heat cramps if they last more than 1 hour.

Heat exhaustion occurs if a person does not take in enough fluids and the body overheats. Heat exhaustion is often accompanied by dehydration. The warning signs of heat exhaustion include the following:

The skin will be cool and moist, and pale, ashen, or flushed. The pulse rate will be fast and weak, and breathing will be fast and shallow. Other symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness and weakness. If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to heat stroke.

Care for heat exhaustion if medical attention is not necessary:

  • Rest.
  • Seek an air-conditioned environment.
  • Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.
  • Drink sips of a cool sports drink, coconut milk, or nonalcoholic beverages.

Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than one hour.

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. The body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise above 103-106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability. Warning signs of heat stroke vary but may include the following: an extremely high body temperature; red, hot, dry skin; no sweating; rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion or unconsciousness.

Care for heat stroke. If you see any of these signs, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the victim. Do the following:

  • Get the victim to a shady area.
  • Cool the victim rapidly, using whatever methods you can. For example, immerse the victim in a tub or shower of cool water; spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose; sponge the person with cool water; or wrap the victim in a cool, wet sheet and fan him or her vigorously.
  • Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to between101-102 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call the hospital emergency room for further instructions.
  • Do not give the victim alcohol to drink.
  • Get medical assistance as soon as possible.

Be proactive and plan to stay safe. Take care of each other.