Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion

[jimmie 48]

With so many members dealing with heat and the lack of air conditioning, i thought the following would be useful.
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The body carefully maintains its internal temperature at around 98.6 degrees. In hot weather, perspiration cools it off. But sometimes, even the best cooling system can be overwhelmed.

Always be alert to the symptoms of heat stroke or exhaustion, especially when you or your friends exercise in hot weather, or work in hot, humid areas that don't have some form of ventilation.

Heat exhaustion is a milder heat-related illness, but if untreated, it can lead to heat stroke, a potentially life-threatening condition. Heat stroke occurs when the body's internal temperature rises to dangerous levels because the body's normal cooling mechanism breaks down.

If you're exercising or working in very hot weather and not drinking enough water or other fluids, your body may not be able to produce enough sweat to cool itself. If the body temperature remains elevated above 106 degrees for very long, it can lead to organ shutdown, brain damage, and even death.

As we age, our bodies become less efficient at cooling, and so people who are elderly as well as those who have circulation problems should be especially concerned about being in prolonged heat. In 1995, about 700 people perished during a record heat wave in Chicago, many of them elderly residents who did not realize they were in danger.






http://healthresources.caremark.com/topic/heat

[jimmie 48]

Re: Heat Stoke and Heat Exhaustion

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include the following:

Excessive sweating
Cool, clammy skin
Pale or ashen appearance
Rapid heartbeat
Headache
Dizziness
Nausea or vomiting
Abdominal or muscle cramps
Fatigue
Fainting
Weakness
Slight fever
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Heat stroke is much more serious than heat exhaustion, and it can come on suddenly. Symptoms of heat stroke include the following:




High body temperature, 103 degrees Farhenheit or more
Red, hot, or dry skin
Racing pulse
Rapid and shallow breathing
Confusion
Seizures
Hallucinations
Unusual behavior, such as irritability or aggressiveness
Dark urine
Nausea
Throbbing headache
Unconsciousness

[1poundatatime]

Re: Heat Stoke and Heat Exhaustion

Thanks so much for posting this information Jimmie!

I live in Arizona and despite living here for 14 years, it's hard to remember to drink enough water and watch for the signs of heat exhaustion.

[sadie147]

Re: Heat Stoke and Heat Exhaustion

My husband fainted a couple of years ago from heat exhaustion, playing his first and last golf game LOL. Unfortunately he thinks because he works outside doing road work all day, that he's 'used' to the heat. That fainting spell proved him wrong. It was very scary, luckily he was ok though. I try now to force him to drink water as I think that's his biggest issue....especially when he'll be working outside shovelling hot asphalt on 100+ days like today.

[jimmie 48]

Re: Heat Stoke and Heat Exhaustion

same here sadie, as far as jack goes. he worked out in the heat or in new construction pre-air conditioning and his issue then, as it is now, is not enough water. the heat and humidity was so bad iit all would just zap every bit of strenght he had. he came home yesterday, as a matter of fact, saying he didn't drink enough water. he has left for work about 15 minutes ago and took 5 bottles with him.

[sadie147]

Re: Heat Stoke and Heat Exhaustion

same here sadie, as far as jack goes. he worked out in the heat or in new construction pre-air conditioning and his issue then, as it is now, is not enough water. the heat and humidity was so bad iit all would just zap every bit of strenght he had. he came home yesterday, as a matter of fact, saying he didn't drink enough water. he has left for work about 15 minutes ago and took 5 bottles with him.

What do you think about the heat in Ohio Jimmie? Is it a different summer heat than florida ('ve only been there in teh spring)? I'm sure you're getting the same heat wave we are, it's not the heat i find that is what's horrble, it's the humidity..the air is like soup. Just wondering if florida air was different, being surrounded by ocean.

[jimmie 48]

Re: Heat Stoke and Heat Exhaustion

i will say this, the heat degree wise is right up there with florida. within a couple degrees. panhandle might be 95 while we are suppose to reach 93 today. the difference is what you expect to hear. florida pretty much has 100% humidity and that doesn't go down when it rains and doesn't go down much even at night. ohio is not quite as bad. we have been seeing humidity ranges from 60% to maybe 80%, the highest of course being the last few days. another big difference is that the heat in florida is there to stay till around october, maybe later. it gets hot and stays hot. we will be back down in the mid 80's in a few days so we get a break from the miserable temps for a bit.

i found myself drinking more water than usual yesterday. that's a good thing.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Heat Stoke and Heat Exhaustion

Interesting article Jimmie... tks for posting!

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: Heat Stoke and Heat Exhaustion

Very good info! I have experienced heat exhaustion and it is not fun! You don't want to go there, trust me!

John is the same, he's out in this crap all day, and in new construction and under houses..its really hard on the body! I have finally gotten him to drink more water but still probably not as much as he should. I have gotten him to take a big gallon thermos with Gatorade in it too, I don't like the sugar but that's the only sugar he ever drinks so I'm not too worried about that, the important thing for him is to get his liquids down!

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: Heat Stoke and Heat Exhaustion

Oh Jimmie, now you need to post what to do if you or someone you're with suffers from Heat Exhaustion!

[jimmie 48]

Re: Heat Stoke and Heat Exhaustion

i was doing that the other day - posting what to do - and the blasted thing kept telling me there were too many imagaes. i get fed up and left.

i will indeed get those posted though, asap. first, i have to change the title of the thread. it's heat stroke not heat stoke. lol

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion

LOL I noticed that ... It is hot enough out that it feels like someone "stoke'd" the fire though!

[jimmie 48]

Re: Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion

Heat Exhaustion and Stroke Treatment

Self-Care at Home

Home care is appropriate for mild forms of heat exhaustion. Heat stroke is a medical emergency, and an ambulance should be called immediately.

• For mild cases of heat exhaustion
  • Rest in a cool shaded area.
  • Give cool fluids such as sports drinks or Gatorade that will replace the salt that has been lost. Salty snacks are appropriate, as tolerated.
  • Loosen or remove clothing.
  • Do not use an alcohol rub.
  • Do not give any beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.
• Heat stroke (Do not attempt to treat a case of heat stroke at home, but you can help while waiting for medical assistance to arrive.)
  • Move the person to a cooler environment, or place him or her in a cool bath of water (as long as he or she is conscious and can be attended continuously).
  • Alternatively, moisten the skin with lukewarm water and use a fan to blow cool air across the skin.
  • Give cool beverages by mouth if the person will tolerate it.

Medical Treatment

The treatment is directed at cooling you in a controlled fashion while making sure that you stay hydrated and that your blood flow is normal.

• Treatment of heat exhaustion
  • Because heat exhaustion generally develops gradually, you will often be dehydrated. You can usually be given something to drink, and a cool sport beverage (with 6% or less glucose) should be used. Intravenous fluids may be used if you do not tolerate oral replacement (if you cannot keep anything down).
  • You should stay in a cool environment and avoid strenuous activity for several days.
• Treatment of heat stroke
  • Treatment is aimed at reducing your core temperature to normal as quickly as possible.
  • The doctor may use immersion, evaporative, or invasive cooling techniques.
  • In the evaporative technique, cold or ice packs may be placed in your armpits or groin. Your skin is kept moist with cool fluid, and fans are directed to blow across you.
  • You may be given medication to control your shivering.
  • Your urine output will be monitored.
  • Treatment will continue until your core temperature is 101.3-102.2°F (38.5-19°C) and then stop to keep from making you too cold.
  • Your core temperature will be monitored for several days because you can be thermally unstable for some time.

http://firstaid.webmd.com/heat_exhau...t_firstaid.htm

[divaindubai]

Re: Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion

Good post Jimmie!!

After having lived here in the UAE, I've really had to accustom myself to very high temperatures during the day in the summer when I'm going outside. I really try not to stay outside at all during the summer months, but just go instead, between the house and car, car and work, etc etc. I do drink a good amount of water, and am very conscience of heat exhaustion/stroke etc.

I think that is one of the reasons for my having some panic attacks as well recently, I think I over worry too much about the heat.

My husband, who is originally from Iraq, has a good friend and she just lost both parents recently in Baghdad because of the heat stroke. Apparently living there with only a few hours a day of "electricity" in very very high temperatures can have drastic effects on the body. I really cannot imagine living in such conditions!