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Staying Cool in Extreme Heat
By: unknown author
CBS News, July 4, 2002
Much of the
U.S. is in the throes of a major summer heat wave. The overuse of air
conditioners has caused power outages, leaving the elderly, very young,
and ill very vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and even death. The
Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay reminds us how to
stay safe and healthy as the temperatures soar.
Normally, our bodies can cool down by sweating. But in extreme heat, the
body can lose its ability to regulate temperature. The sweating function
fails and body temperature rises rapidly, resulting in heat stroke. Heat
stroke is a serious medical condition that can damage the brain and other
organs, and even kill you.
Heat Stroke:
The symptoms can vary but you want to watch out for red, hot and dry skin,
rapid strong pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and
unconsciousness.
If you think someone might be suffering from heat stroke, call 911. And
then cool them down any way you can until help arrives. Get them to the
shade or an air-conditioned area. Spray or sponge them with cold water or
immerse them in a tub of cold water if possible. If it's not too humid you
can wrap the victim in a wet sheet and fan them vigorously. You want to
get their temperature to go down to 101 to 102 degrees.
Heat Exhaustion:
Another heat-related illness is heat exhaustion. While not as serious as
heat stroke, it is the result of prolonged exposure to heat and not enough
body fluid. The symptoms of heat exhaustion can be similar to heat stroke
and include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness,
dizziness headache and nausea or vomiting.
Heat exhaustion can affect the elderly, people with high blood pressure
and those who work outside. Outdoor workers may also be prone to heat rash
from prolonged sweating, or heat cramps from too much exertion.
Heat Precautions
Drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids, pace yourself when working outdoors,
replace salts and minerals, wear lightweight clothing, seek air
conditioning, take cold showers.
Also use common sense. Schedule your outdoor activities to avoid the
hottest parts of the day, and use a buddy system if necessary to keep
watch on those at high risk. Never leave children or pets in a parked car.
If you don't have air conditioning at home, try to find a public place
that's air conditioned, like a mall or a library. Even just a few hours of
air conditioning a day can reduce the risk of heat-related illness.
It's also very important to remember to use some kind of sun block if
you're spending time outdoors, even if you have darker skin and don't
normally burn. Don't underestimate the power of the sun and the heat in
July.
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