Hot Topic: The Heat Is On!
All you have to do is take one step outside to know that summer is here. Temperatures are soaring and there's no end in sight. Staying cool when the weather is hot is more than just a matter of comfort, it's also a matter of protecting your health.
Preventing heat-related illness relies a lot upon exercising common sense. One key to staying well during the dog days of summer is staying hydrated. Drinking a lot of fluids will help accomplish that. Avoid alcoholic drinks and drinks that contain a lot of sugar. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those types of drinks can actually cause you to lose body fluids.
Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing will also help keep you cool and comfortable as well as staying in doors and in the air conditioning if at all possible. Taking a cool shower or bath can also help lower body temperature.
People suffer heat-related illness when the body's temperature control system is overloaded. The body normally cools itself by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating just isn't enough. In such cases, a person's body temperature rises rapidly. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs. Several factors affect the body's ability to cool itself during extremely hot weather. When the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly.
Those at greatest risk for heat-related illness include infants and children up to four years of age, people 65 years of age and older, people who are overweight, and people who are ill (especially with heart disease and high blood pressure), or on certain medications.
There are several different kinds of heat-related illnesses ranging from severe to mild.
Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature and body temperature may rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.
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. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, those with high blood pressure, and those working or exercising in a hot environment.
Heat cramps are muscle pains or spasms - usually in the abdomen, arms, or legs - that may occur in association with strenuous activity. People who sweat a lot during strenuous activity are prone to heat cramps.
Heat rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather. It can occur at any age but is most common in young children. Heat rash looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters. It is more likely to occur on the neck and upper chest, in the groin, under the breasts, and in elbow creases.
By knowing who is at risk and what prevention measures to take, heat-related illness can be prevented.
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