WITH SUMMER now in full swing and temperatures averaging in the 80’s and 90’s in recent weeks, it seems like the perfect time to discuss heat-related illnesses and how to prevent them.
As temperature and humidity rise, it becomes more difficult for your body to regulate its internal temperature. If your body is not able to release enough heat efficiently, it could lead to some serious and potentially life-threatening conditions.
Heat-related illness refers to a number of ailments that can result from exposure to high temperatures and humidity and the body’s inability to cope with such extreme conditions. This group of illnesses includes dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Over 600 heat-related deaths happen each year. Heat-related illnesses however are preventable, so it is important to know the signs, risk factors and how to prevent them.
Stay Cool
• Wear appropriate clothing. Choose lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting apparel.
• Schedule outdoor activities in the morning or evening when it’s coolest outside. Try to stay in the shade and avoid direct sun exposure. Wear sunscreen!
• Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible. If you don’t have air-conditioning at home, visit the local shopping mall, public library or other establishments with air-conditioning. Even a few hours spent in air-conditioning can help regulate body temperature and make it easier to cope when you return to the heat.
• Do NOT leave children, seniors or pets in a car. Even if the windows are cracked, a car can reach dangerously high temperatures in a matter of minutes.
Stay Hydrated
• Drink lots of fluids throughout the day. If you wait until you’re thirsty to drink, you’ve waited too long. Sweating is an essential coping mechanism for regulating body temperature in warmer weather. So it is important to stay hydrated in order to allow this to happen and to replenish the fluids that are lost through this process.
• Replace electrolytes. In addition to losing water, sweating also releases a large amount of salt and minerals from our bodies so it is important to replace these vital electrolytes.
• Avoid drinks that dehydrate such as coffee, cocktails and sodas. Caffeine, alcohol, and sugar can all lead to dehydration.
Stay Informed
• Check your local news for weather forecasts and extreme heat alerts.
• Monitor those at high risk. Although anyone can suffer from heat-related illness at any time, some are at greater risk than others. Adults over the age of 65 should be checked on at least twice per day. Infants and children should be closely monitored at all times.
Other risk factors include obesity, prescription drug use, heart disease, poor circulation and mental illness.
• Know the signs and symptoms. Excessive sweating, increased body temperature, muscle pain or spasm, headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, tiredness or weakness, confusion, loss of consciousness are all warning signs of potentially life-threatening conditions. If you recognize any of these signs, stop all activity, get to a cool place and seek medical help immediately.
Dr. Kevy Smith is a chiropractor in Saratoga Springs providing non-surgical treatment of spinal disorders and sports-related injuries. For more information please visit www.MySaratogaChiropractor.com or call 518-597-2064.
