Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses

As the summer draws closer, it is important to be knowledgeable about heat-related illnesses and prevention of those illnesses. Conditions such as heatstroke and heat exhaustion can be problematic if the symptoms are not recognized and treated early.

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body cannot keep itself cool enough. Exercise, as well as hot weather, can cause heat exhaustion (2). The body loses fluids, which cannot be replenished if the person possibly suffering from heat exhaustion does not drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids (3).

Heat syncope, or fainting, occurs when heat causes the blood vessels to dilate. This dilation causes body fluids to move into the legs due to gravity, which then causes fainting (3).

Heatstroke occurs when the body gets too hot and fails to regulate its own temperature (3). Heatstroke can be fatal if it is not recognized and treated quickly. Medical help should be sought immediately (2).

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to prevent heat-related illnesses. Here are a few tips for staying safe during hot weather, courtesy of the CDC:

1. Drink more fluids, unless your physician has limited your water consumption. If that is the case, consult your physician about how much water you should drink during hot weather.

2. Avoid alcoholic beverages when the weather is hot because these beverages cause you to lose more fluids.

3. Staying in air-conditioning for even part of the day will help your body cool off and stay cool when you go back outdoors.

4. Wearing lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing will help the body stay cooler.

5. Do not sit in a closed, parked vehicle for extended periods of time.

6. Conduct outdoor activity during the cooler hours of the day, during the morning and evening.

7. Cut down on outdoor exercise. Drink more fluids during exercise.

8. Find shady areas to rest frequently during time spent outdoors.

9. Wear a wide-brimmed hat. This not only protects your skin from the sun, but it also keeps you cooler.

10. Take a cool shower or bath or move to an air-conditioned place to cool down after time spent in the heat.

Heat-related illnesses can, in some cases, be fatal. Prevention is the most important step, and the easiest, when it comes to treating a heat-related illness. With the use of some of the above tips, illnesses such as heat syncope, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke can be avoided.

For more information on heat-related illness, consider visiting the following sites:

1. CDC. "Tips for Preventing Heat-related Illness." http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.asp
2. FamilyDoctor.org. "Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke: What You Need to Know." http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/firstaid/basics/088.html
3. WebMD. "Heat-related Illnesses." http://firstaid.webmd.com/tc/heat-related-illnesses-topic-overview