By Terry Orr
The
Dog Days of Summer are in full swing – new record highs have already been recently
established – 124 out west – Hot, Hazy and Humid here in Washington, DC. It is
time once again – to refresh our minds on the does and don’ts in dealing with
the heat. Lets start by following OSHA’s link to read this informative and
helpful fact sheet – recommend that you print it and put with your other health
and preparedness material.
Heat kills by pushing the human body
beyond its limits. In extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and
the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature.
Most heat disorders occur because the
victim has been overexposed to heat or has over-exercised for his or her age
and physical condition. Older adults, young children and those who are sick or
overweight are more likely to succumb to extreme heat.
Heat Related Conditions
Heat
Disorder
|
Symptoms
|
First
Aid
|
Sunburn
|
Skin
redness and pain, possible swelling, blisters, fever, headaches.
|
Take
a shower, using soap, to remove cells that may block pores preventing the
body from cooling naturally. If
blisters occur, apply dry, sterile dressings and get medical attention.
|
Heat Syncope (Fainting)
|
Light-headedness,
dizziness and or fainting.
|
Sit
or lie down in cool place when they begin to feel symptoms. Slowly drink
water, clear juice, or a sports beverage.
|
Heat Cramps
|
Painful
spasms usually in legs and abdominal muscles.
Heavy sweating.
|
Firm
pressure on cramping muscles or gentle massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue.
|
Heat Exhaustion
|
Heavy
sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Week pulse. Normal
temperature possible. Fainting, vomiting.
|
Get
victim to lie down in a cool place.
Loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to
air-conditioned place. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue. If
vomiting occurs, seek immediate medical attention.
|
Heat Stroke (Sun Stroke)
|
High
body temperature (106+). Hot, dry skin. Rapid, strong pulse. Possible
unconsciousness. Victim will likely not sweat.
|
Heat stroke is a
severe medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 or emergency medical service or get the victim to a
hospital immediately. Delay can be fatal. Move victim to cooler environment.
Try a cool bath or sponging to reduce body temperature. Use extreme caution. Remove clothing. Use
fans and/or air conditioners. DO NOT GIVE FLUIDS.
|
Air-conditioning is the
number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death. During conditions of extreme heat, spend time in
locations with air-conditioning such as shopping malls, public libraries, or
public health sponsored heat-relief shelters in your area.
Get informed. Listen to local news and weather channels or
contact your local public health department during extreme heat conditions for
health and safety updates
Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages and
increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp
Workers at risk of heat stress include
outdoor workers and workers in hot environments such as firefighters, bakery
workers, farmers, construction workers, miners, boiler room workers, factory
workers, and others. Workers at greater
risk of heat stress include those who are 65 years of age or older, are
overweight, have heart disease or high blood pressure, or take medications that
may be affected by extreme heat. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/
Here
are the links to our previous two articles on Heat – Beating the Heat: Preventing Heat
Exhaustion and Stroke and Heat Stroke – plus a link to CDC’s
information on Heat Stress.
Beating the Heat: Preventing Heat
Exhaustion & Stroke http://kisbyto.blogspot.com/2011/07/beating-heat-preventing-heat-exhaustion.html
Heat Stress http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/
(Photos from Google)
No comments:
Post a Comment