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Source: http://www.tokaanuskihire.co.nz/wdhelp/heat.jpg
Treatment
It is important to move a person suffering from either heat exhaustion or heat stroke to a cool, shady area and remove as much clothing as possible. If the person is conscious and able to drink, try to re-hydrate with a cool beverage while fanning to facilitate air movement around the body. Should heat stroke be suspected, first call 911 because the individual might need extra medical attention. Then focus your attention on lowering the core body temperature by fanning, spraying cool water on the body and if available, placing ice packs in the armpits and the groin area. Continue cooling efforts until the temperature falls below 101.3°F. If you live in an area with no 911 services or immediate medical assistance, try to cool the body by immersing the individual in cool water and have a fan directed at the patient. It is important once the temperature is adequately low, to transport the patient to the nearest health facility for further evaluation.
Prevention
Fluids, fluids, fluids! Make it a habit to drink at least eight glasses of water each day in addition to other beverages. Remember that drinks containing caffeine and alcohol act as diuretics, which drain fluids from your body. As such, drinking tea all day leaves you more dehydrated than you would have imagined. Carry an extra bottle of water with you to work or while exercising – and to be more environmentally conscious, use a reusable flask instead of a plastic bottle. Wear light-colored, light-weight clothes and keep to shady, cool places as much as possible. If you need to exercise or train extensively outdoors, take frequent breaks and do stay hydrated. Finally, it is important that caretakers or coaches of people most susceptible to heat stroke know the signs and symptoms in order to appropriately institute measures to reduce risk. For instance:
- Check in more frequently with elderly family, especially if disabled, to ensure that they have an easily accessible source of cool fluids and that they are able to drink this when thirsty. Some elderly people lose their ability to determine when they are thirsty and might require timed reminders to drink something
- Do not leave children in locked cars with windows rolled up even for a few minutes
- Coaches should have frequent training breaks with sport drinks and water available
- Take frequent showers or go to the nearest pool to cool off
- Follow the weather reports for your area and know what heat-related alerts are out (see figure above).
The summer is a great time to have fun, show off that nice figure and the clothes you have been slaving all winter long for. Just make sure to stay cool with a refreshing drink, wear your UV protected shades and use your SPF suntan lotion generously. Now you are ready to take the summer by storm!
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