Healthy Living

Beat the Heat: Avoid Heat Stroke This Summer

Summer is here and both children and adults are spending a lot of time outdoors. But whether you’re outside for work or for fun, remember to play it safe. More than 114 million people in the United States visited the emergency room in 2002 – many times because of heat-related illnesses. A few simple precautions can help you beat the heat, and avoid a trip to the emergency department this summer.

There are two types of heat-related illness:

1. Heat exhaustion is caused when excessive heat and dehydration cause the body to overheat. Body temperature can reach more than 102 degrees, and symptoms such as paleness, nausea, extreme fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness and vomiting are common. Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke if not treated.

2. Heat stroke is the most dangerous heat illness. It occurs when the body’s temperature rises rapidly – up to 106 degrees in only 10 to 15 minutes – the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is not able to cool down. The very young and very old are most vulnerable to heat stroke.

You can prevent heat-related illness this summer by following these simple precautions from the American College of Emergency Physicians:

• Hydrate – Remember to drink plenty of water during the day, especially before, during and after any strenuous activity. Sports drinks are also a good choice if you’re exercising or working in hot conditions.

• Ventilate – Staying in a place where plenty of air is circulating will help your body cool naturally. If you’re indoors, open the windows and turn on a fan or use an air conditioner.

• Cover up – Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Tight clothing and dark colors absorb the sunlight and trap heat. Also, you can wear a hat to shield yourself from the sun, but remove it once you feel your self getting warm, since anything covering your head can trap heat close to your body.

• Limit activity – Heat stroke can happen in less than an hour when you’re participating in strenuous activity on a hot day. If you feel yourself getting warm or lightheaded, rest in the shade. If you see any signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, call 911 right away and take the following steps recommended by the American College of Emergency Physicians:

• Cool the victim by seeking shade or a cool air-conditioned environment.

• Place the victim in a cool shower, gently spray him with cool water from a garden hose, or place cool rags on various areas of the victim’s body. • Give the victim cool liquids to drink, including those containing electrolytes (such as sports drinks).

Get information on staying healthy year round with these helpful websites!

Diabetes Prevention

American Diabetes Association: www.diabetes.org

CDC Diabetes Home Page: www.cdc.gov/diabetes/

National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive Kidney Disease: www.niddk.nih.gov/

Heart Disease Prevention

American Heart Association: www.americanheart.org

National Stroke Association: www.stroke.org

NIH National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute: www.nhlbi.nih.gov

Cancer Prevention

American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org

CDC Cancer Prevention: www.cdc.gov/cancer