When we are out in the sun or it's a hot day, people can suffer from heat stress. If action isn't taken, these illnesses can have severe and sometimes fatal consequences.
Heat Stress Disorders
There are various heat stress disorders, including the following:
- Heat fatigue: This beginning stage of heat injury involves a decreased effectiveness in someone's circulation due to a loss of fluids in the body. At this stage, people feel tired and fatigued. With immediate fluids in the body and rest, there are no long-term side effects.
- Heat cramps: These painful cramps result if heavy sweating has depleted a person of salt. When heat cramps occur, move to a cool place and drink cool, salted water or Gatorade or a similar drink geared for replacing sodium. If cramps continue, get medical help. If heat cramps are not treated, more serious heat disorders will occur.
- Heat exhaustion: This indicates a person’s body has lost a great deal of water and can no longer cool itself. Symptoms may include nausea, dizziness/fainting, weakness, clammy cool skin from heavy sweating, low blood pressure, muscle cramps, dry eyes and tongue, a body temperature greater than 37 degrees Celsius and a weak but rapid pulse. Victims may be tired, clumsy and confused. Give them lots of cool, salted water, allow them to rest in a cool place, and help them into a cool shower. Take them to a doctor if they are unconscious. If untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to shock and even death.
- Heat stroke: This is life threatening and can occur quickly. Heat stroke is indicated by fainting, dry hot skin (no water and salt left for sweating), personality changes, vomiting, chills, headache and a high body temperature – over 40 degrees Celsius. Victims may faint or have seizures. Until you have help, take them into the shade and offer sips of cool, salted water. Remove excess clothes while fanning their skin. Do everything possible to cool off their body. Get them medial help immediately.
According to the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) Occupational Hygienist John Oudyk’s document Managing Heat Stress, "Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Without outside intervention, the victim will die. By the time the victim realizes s/he is in trouble, it is usually too late to employ effective self-intervention procedures that can reverse the thermo-regulatory failure and reduce core temperatures. Recovery times from heat stroke are generally the longest of any heat related disorder."
Prevent Heat Stress Disorders
The best medicine for heat stress disorders is prevention. Keep properly hydrated and stay cool.
Tips for avoiding heat stress disorders:
- Drink water constantly. Juices and non-caffeinated sports drinks are good, too.
- Avoid caffeinated drinks, diet drinks, carbonated drinks, and alcohol as they all drain your body of fluids.
- Eat a balanced diet and eat lightly.
- Wear light, loose clothing.
- Schedule breaks if you are in the heat.
- Wear sunscreen.
- Wear a hat when outside.
- Schedule heavy work during the cooler parts of the day.
Sources:
- Princeton University, Environmental Health and Safety; Heat Stress Fact Sheet
- North Carolina Cooperative Extension; Heat Stress Disorders
- Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry; Heat Stress Disorders and Headache by Dr. C. Di Lorenzo
- The Infrastructure Health & Safety Association; Frequently Asked Questions - Heat Stress by Dru Sahai, M.Sc.
(all articles accessed November 5, 2010)
Toby Welch - Toby is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in magazine articles, online writing, e-books, and manuscript editing.
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