Heat-Related Problems

Many of us live in or visit regions where sunburn, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are summer health risks. If you live in a hot region, the heat can affect your health all year round. The three phases of heat-related problems are heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

Symptoms

Heat cramps can be in the muscles being used while exercising or working in warm temperatures, or there can be abdominal cramps.

Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people work or exercise in hot, humid conditions. The symptoms are:

• Cool, pale, and clammy skin

• Heavy sweating

• Dilated pupils

• Headache

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Faintness

• Rapid pulse and breathing

In heat stroke, body temperature rises rapidly to 104F or higher. There is a strong, rapid pulse. The person may be confused or unconscious. He or she may also vomit. Heat stroke is a medical emergency.

First Aid

Heat Cramps

To treat heat cramps:

• Stop the activity.

• Get out of the heat.

• Drink cool water or a sports drink in small amounts -- not in big gulps.

• Eat some salty food.

• Massage the cramped muscle, gently stretching it for 20 seconds.

As with all heat illnesses, it is important to treat heat cramps right away. The same conditions that caused the cramps can lead to more serious heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Heat Exhaustion

If heat exhaustion strikes:

• Get the person to a cool area.

• Loosen or remove the person's clothing.

• Have the person lie on his or her back with the feet slightly raised.

• Give cool water or an electrolyte sports drink.

• Call the doctor's office for advice if you don't notice an improvement within a half hour. Also stay alert to signs of heat stroke.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is life threatening. It requires immediate medical attention. Call for an ambulance immediately if someone is suffering from heat stroke. While waiting for help, wrap him or her in wet sheets and fan the body with your hands or an electric fan. Give the person water if he or she is able to drink.

Preventive Care for Heat-Related Problems

Heat-related illnesses can be serious. Although certain people (older adults, individuals who are obese, and individuals taking certain medications) may be more susceptible to heat illnesses than others, anyone can be affected. The best advice is to use care.

• Put off strenuous tasks for a cooler day or plan to do them during the coolest parts of the day, such as before dawn or in the early morning. Plan ways to get out of the heat, especially during the hottest part of the day, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. If you do not have air conditioning or fans at home, go for at least part of the day to a public air-conditioned place, such as a library, shopping mall, or movie theater, to get out of the heat.

• When outside, wear lightweight and light-colored clothing. Wear a broad-brimmed hat or carry an umbrella for shade. Sponge off with cool water from time to time throughout the day

• Most important of all, drink lots of water, juices, or sports drinks. (You are drinking enough if your urine is clear or pale yellow , as opposed to yellow or dark yellow. ) Avoid caffeine and alcohol.