The peak of summer may be behind us, but the heat of summer is still burning. Along with the fun summer activities there is also the risk of heat related illness. Heat related illness occuring due to high levels of heat and/or humumidity. While anyone can suffer from the effects of heat related illness, the young and the elderly are the most susceptible as their bodys' temperature regulation processes are altered.
Persons who are over weight, wear heavy clothing, or take certain medications are susceptible to heat illness. There are three types of heat related illness: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
The mildest form of heat related illness are heat heat cramps. Heat exhaustion consists of muscles spasms occurring during and after periods of sweating and excerise in high heat conditions. Symptoms include muscle spasms, moist, flushed skin, and fever below 102.0 degrees Fahrenheit. The treatment for heat cramps is to move the person to a cooler location, remove excess clothing, and replace fluids. Fluids should be consumed that preferably are cool and contain some sugar or salt such as sports drinks. Alcohol and caffeine should be avoided as they make fluid losses worse.
Heat exhaustion is more severe than heat cramps and results from more intense losses of fluids and salts through excessive sweating. Heat exhaustion results from the bodys' decreased ability to regulate is temperature mechanisms. Heat exhaustion symptoms are: muscle spasms, pale, moist skin, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever above 102.0 degrees, headache, fatigue, weakness, anxiety, and feelings of faintness. The treatment for heat exhaustion is to move the patient to an area with a fan or air conditioner, removing excess clothing, rest and fluids. If improvement is not seen with these measures medical treatment should be sought.
The most severe of the heat related illnesses is heat stroke and results from failure of the bodys' tempertature regulating mechanisms. Heat stroke symptoms are fever above 104.0 degrees, dry, hot skin, increased pulse, nauseas, vomiting, loss of appetite, confusion, agitation, seizures stupor, coma , and death. 911 should be called as hese symptoms are a medical emergency. The person should be moved to a location with air conditioning or a fan and the body sponged with cool water. Excess clothing should be removed. If the patient is alert and able to swallow, have them slowly sip cool fluids containing salt and/or sugar.
Heat related illnesses are preventable by consuming plenty of fluids during high levels of heat and/or humidity, avoiding heat conditions, wearing light colored clothing, and using hats, sunglasses, and umbrellas.
