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People Need to Take Precautions in Hot Weather


8/7/2007

It's hard to ignore the fact that it's hot! At least through Friday the Triangle is dealing with excessive heat that could cause health problems for anyone, but especially for the elderly, young children, individuals who already have health problems, and those who work outside.

Wake County encourages citizens to take precautions to keep from becoming overheated and to check on the elderly, young children and pets in their neighborhoods and communities.

High temperatures and humidity stress the body's ability to cool itself, and heat illness becomes a special concern during hot weather. There are three major forms of heat illnesses: heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke -- with heat stroke being a life-threatening condition.

Heat cramps are muscle spasms which usually affect the arms, legs or stomach. They often occur sometime after the activity is completed, at night or when relaxing. Heat cramps are caused by heavy sweating, especially when water is replaced by drinking, but not salt or potassium. Although heat cramps can be quite painful, they usually don't result in permanent damage. To prevent them, drink electrolyte solutions such as Gatorade during the day and try eating more fruits like bananas.

Heat exhaustion is more serious than heat cramps. It occurs when the body's internal cooling system is overworked, but hasn't completely shut down. In heat exhaustion, the surface blood vessels and capillaries, which originally enlarged to cool the blood, collapse from loss of body fluids and necessary minerals. This happens when you don't drink enough fluids to replace what you're sweating away. The symptoms of heat exhaustion include: headache, heavy sweating, intense thirst, dizziness, fatigue, loss of coordination, nausea, impaired judgment, loss of appetite, hyperventilation, tingling in hands or feet, anxiety, cool and moist skin, weak and rapid pulse (120-200), and low to normal blood pressure.

Anyone suffering from these symptoms should be moved to a cool location, such as a shaded area or air-conditioned building. Have them lie down with their feet slightly elevated. Loosen their clothing, fan them or apply cool, wet cloths. Have them drink water or electrolyte drinks. Try to cool them down, and have them checked by medical personnel. Victims of heat exhaustion should avoid strenuous activity for at least a day, and they should continue to drink water to replace lost body fluids.

Heat stroke is a life threatening illness with a high death rate. It occurs when the body has depleted its supply of water and salt, and the victim's body temperature rises to deadly levels. A heat stroke victim may first suffer heat cramps and/or heat exhaustion before progressing into the heat stroke stage, but this is not always the case. It should be noted that, on the job, heat stroke is sometimes mistaken for heart attack. It is therefore important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat stroke - and to check for them anytime an employee collapses while working in a hot environment.

The early symptoms of heat stroke include a high body temperature (103 degrees F); a distinct absence of sweating (usually); hot red or flushed, dry skin; rapid pulse; difficulty breathing; constricted pupils; any/all the signs or symptoms of heat exhaustion such as dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting or confusion, but more severe; bizarre behavior; and high blood pressure. Advanced symptoms may be seizure or convulsions, collapse, loss of consciousness, and a body temperature of over 108 degrees F.

It is vital to lower a heat stroke victim's body temperature. Seconds count. Pour water on them, fan them or apply cold packs. Call 911, and get an ambulance on the way as soon as possible.

  • Anyone can suffer a heat illness. But by taking a few simple precautions, heat illness can be prevented:
  • Condition yourself for working in hot environments; start slowly then build up to more physical work.
  • Allow your body to adjust over a few days.
  • Drink lots of liquids. Don't wait until you're thirsty. By then, you may already be on your way to being dehydrated. Electrolyte drinks are good for replacing both water and minerals lost through sweating. Never drink alcohol, and avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee and soda.
  • Take a break if you notice you're getting a headache or you start feeling overheated. Cool off for a few minutes before going back to work.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing when working in the sun. Take advantage of fans and air conditioners.
  • Get enough sleep at night.
  • If you don't have air conditioning, consider visiting cool places like libraries and shopping malls.

For more summer safety tips, visit www.wakegov.com.



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