Preventing Heatstroke

Healthy and Well Heatstroke

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

By Tracy McCoy

As I write this month, the temp is nearing triple digits and it’s mid-June. It leaves me to question what July and August have in store for us. Hot steamy summers are a signature of the South, making working outdoors uncomfortable and sometimes unhealthy. Protecting your skin from sunburn is important to prevent skin damage and skin cancer but protecting yourself from the heat is imperative to prevent heat stroke.

Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. Called the most serious form of heat injury, a heatstroke can occur if your body temperature rises to 104° F or more. If left untreated it can quickly damage your brain, heart, muscles and kidneys, making this an emergency! Damage from heatstroke worsens every minute that treatment is delayed, increasing risk of serious complications or even death.

The signs and symptoms of heatstroke can vary from person to person but typically they include: • High body temperature: 104° F or above. • Altered mental state or behavior: Confusion, slurred speech, agitation, delirium, seizures and coma. • Change in sweating: Skin that is hot and dry to the touch. Heatstroke brought on by strenuous exercise can make your skin feel dry or slightly moist. • Nausea and vomiting: You may feel sick to your stomach or vomit. • Flushed skin: Your skin may appear red as your temperature increases. • Rapid breathing: Your breathing may be rapid and shallow. • Racing heart rate: Your pulse may significantly increase due to the stress placed on your heart to keep your body cool. • Headache: A throbbing headache.

If you or someone you are with shows symptoms of heatstroke you must take action by calling 911. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Meanwhile you can take the following steps to help: • Move the person into shade or indoors where it is cooler. • Remove excess clothing to help reduce body temp. • Cool them off however you can. For instance put them in a cool tub of water or a cool shower. Spray with a garden hose, sponge with cool water. Put them in front of a fan while misting with cool water or place ice packs or cold wet towels on their head, neck, armpits and groin.

Working hard in the heat may not be something you can avoid. Your job may require it or you may have duties that you can not avoid. If possible do your work early in the day or late when the sun is not overhead. There are two main types of heatstroke:

• Non-exertional or classic heatstroke. This happens simply from exposure to hot, humid weather, especially for long periods of time. Often this happens to folks who are older or have a chronic illness. • Exertional heatstroke is caused when the body temperature rises brought on by intense physical activity in hot weather. If you are exercising or working in hot weather you can experience exertional heatstroke. This is most likely to occur if you are not accustomed to high temperatures.

While heatstroke can happen to anyone, there are factors that can increase your risk, they are: • Age. Your ability to cope with extreme heat depends on your central nervous system. In young children their CNS is not fully developed and in the elderly their CNS may be deteriorating. These factors make their bodies less able to handle changes in temperature or exposure to extreme heat. • Exertion in hot weather. Participating in sports, exercising or training such as in the military in hot weather are two examples of situations that can lead to heatstroke. • Sudden exposure to hot weather or lack of air conditioning can lead to heatstroke. If you are traveling to a climate much hotter than you are used to, give yourself a couple days to adjust. If you don’t have air conditioning or it becomes inoperable use fans to help keep yourself cool.

• Medications can affect your ability to stay hydrated and respond to heat. Be especially careful if you take medications such as heart medications, blood pressure pills, diuretics or even antidepressants or antipsychotics. If you are concerned talk to your doctor or pharmacist. • Certain health conditions can increase your risk of heatstroke. If you have a heart or lung disease, are obese, have a sedentary lifestyle or have a history of heatstroke you may be at an increased risk.

There are ways to help prevent a heatstroke. We’ve all heard the saying, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Taking a few easy steps can help reduce your risk of problems in the heat. • Wear loose fitting clothing to allow your body to cool properly. • Protect against sunburn. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen liberally and reapply every two hours. • Drink plenty of fluids. Water is always great but some of the sports drinks offer electrolytes that may help. Staying hydrated is so important all of the time but especially in warmer months or if exposed to extreme heat. • Don’t sit or leave anyone in a parked car. This seems to be a commonsense issue and I am shocked when I see in the news that children or pets are left in hot cars. Perhaps some are unaware of how fast temperatures can rise in an automobile. The temperature in a parked car can rise as much as 20° in less than ten minutes. It is NEVER safe to leave your child or pet or anyone in the car during warm or hot weather, even if the windows are cracked. If you can not take your child or pet with you leave them in the care or someone else. • If possible avoid being out or doing strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day. Do your gardening or yard work either early or late. Drink plenty of fluids and find a cool spot to rest periodically. • Be aware and cautious. If medications or health issues have you at an increased risk avoid the heat and act fast if you feel ill while outdoors or exposed to high temperatures.

Take care this summer and be mindful of your body and how you are feeling. When spending time or working during these hottest days of summer take care to prevent complications from heat exposure. Summertime is our chance to get outside and have fun, but just take care to do so safely. Remember to keep an eye on your little ones, our elderly and pets too.