Hot Weather Tips to Prevent Heat-Related Illness
(BINGHAMTON United States
“The elderly, young children, and people with mental illness and chronic disease are more prone to heat-related illness. People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable to properly cool themselves. The body normally cools itself by sweating. When humidity levels are high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly,” said Diane O’Hora, Supervising Public Health Educator for the Broome County Health Department.
Air conditioning provides the best protection from heat exposure and heat-related deaths. However some people may be fearful of high utility bills and limit their use of air conditioning. This places people who may be already at risk for heat illness at increased risk.
Many people think electric fans are sufficient during extreme heat. Fans may provide comfort, but they will not prevent heat-related illness when the temperature is in the high 90’s.
Heat-stroke is a severe illness that occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature. The body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degree Fahrenheit or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. This type of heat-related illness can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.
Warning signs of heat illness vary but may include:
- Extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Red, hot and dry skin (no sweating)
- Throbbing headache
- Dizziness, nausea and confusion
- Unconsciousness
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. If left untreated, it can progress to more serious heat stroke.
Those most prone to heat exhaustion are the elderly, people with high blood pressure, and people working or exercising in a hot environment.
The warning signs of heat exhaustion include:
- Heavy sweating
- Muscle cramps
- Weakness
- Headache
- Fainting
- Paleness
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Skin may be cool and moist
“A great way to keep cool is to go swimming or enjoy the shade at one of our local parks,” said Broome County Executive Patrick Brennan. Additional tips to manage during hot weather:
- Take a cool shower or bath.
- Drink plenty of water unless you have specific directions otherwise from you doctor.
- Refrain from drinking liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar – these actually cause you to lose more body fluid.
- If you have air conditioning, stay inside where it is cool. If you don’t have air conditioning, spend some time in a public building that has air conditioning, or get outside into the shade for at least part of everyday. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
If you must be out in the heat:
- Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours
- Cut down on physical activity
- Drink plenty of water
- Try to rest often in shady areas
- Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a ventilated hat (such as straw or mesh) and sunglasses, and put on sunscreen
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
- NEVER leave children, pets or individuals with special needs in a parked car for ANY amount of time since vehicle temperatures can rise to dangerous levels in just a few minutes, and
- Check on family, friends, and neighbors often to assess their condition, especially elderly persons and those who have special needs.
For additional information on dealing with extreme heat, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/.
Posted: 7/20/2011 9:23 am
Copyright
Official County Government Site of Broome County, New York.
Copyright © 2010 Broome County. All Rights Reserved.
Comments or suggestions? Please e-mail the goBroomeCounty.com web site administrator
RSS Feed | Email This Page | Print This Page | Back To Top | Login
