Hot weather triggers a
variety of medical emergencies. Even
healthy people should take it easy during extremely high temperatures, and those
with respiratory and other health problems must be especially careful.
Stay out of the sun as much as possible.
Drink extra fluids, but avoid alcoholic beverages.
Alcohol can cause dehydration.
The
best ways to prevent a sun stress emergency are:
·
Drink before
you're thirsty and drink often.
·
Eat a healthy
diet.
·
Wear a hat or
cap, keep the neck covered and wear loose fitting clothing.
·
If you can,
work in the cool hours of the day or evening.
It's
important to wear a hat because it prevents heat load by acting as a barrier
from the heat source (usually the sun). Cooling
the head and neck may be an effective means of reducing core body temperature in
those with heat stress.
The
Darien-Woodridge Fire Protection District does not recommend the use of table
salt or salt tablets to replace body electrolytes.
Many electrolyte replacement drinks are available on the market.
Electrolytes are crucial for the proper functioning of the body.
Common electrolytes are:
·
Calcium
·
Sodium
·
Potassium
Heat-related
injuries fall into three major categories:
·
Heat cramps
·
Heat exhaustion
·
Heatstroke
Heat cramps
are muscular pains and spasms that occur when the body loses electrolytes during
profuse sweating or when inadequate electrolytes are taken into the body.
They usually begin in the arms, legs or abdomen, and often precede heat
exhaustion.
Treatment
for heat cramps is to rest in the shade, get near a fan, spray the person with
water and massage the cramp.
Heat exhaustion is a medical emergency. When
a person is suffering from heat exhaustion, they will perspire profusely and
most likely will be pale.
It
is best treated by taking the patient to a cool place, applying cool compresses,
elevating the feet and giving the patient fluids.
Heat stroke
is the worst heat-related injury. The
brain has lost its ability to regulate body temperature.
The patient will be hot, reddish and warm to the touch. Their temperature
will be markedly high and there will be no perspiration.
This is a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
The emergency care of heatstroke is to cool the body as quickly as possible. One of the best methods for cooling the body during a heat emergency is to wrap the patient in cool, wet sheets.