Summer is Coming

It’s that time of year where the thermometer is going up as the days get longer.  More and more people take this time to go outside and try to enjoy the warmer weather for as long as they can but this is actually a very dangerous time of the year.  It’s time for a silent killer that will sneak up on you.  Most people tend to ignore the first obvious symptoms, because they are busy doing something out in the heat and don’t want to stop to address the symptoms.  So let’s go over these symptoms and see how you can help those around you.

Ok let’s go over the first step of this silent killer - heat exhaustion.  Heat exhaustion may not sound very serious, or even a killer, but it can lead to heat stroke, which is the killer.  There are typically two types of heat exhaustion - water depletion and salt depletion.  If someone is water depleted, they will have excessive thirst, headache and loss of consciousness.  If someone is salt depleted, they will have nausea, vomiting, cramps, and dizziness.  Both types of heat exhaustion can also cause confusion, pale skin, profuse sweating, and rapid heartbeat. 

The risk of heat exhaustion is strongly related to the heat index, because the higher the humidity the more you body’s ability to sweat is hampered.  This index is even higher when you are in full sunshine versus some shade.  People who live in more urban areas are much more prone to heat exhaustion due to what is called “heat island effect”.  This is the heat stored by the asphalt and concrete that is typically only released at night, therefore increasing the night time temperatures.  If you couple that with stagnant atmospheric conditions (very little wind) and poor air quality, it makes heat exhaustion much more likely. 

The second step of this silent killer is heat stroke, which is also known as sunstroke.  Not all people go from heat exhaustion to heat stroke. Some go right to the heat stroke.  Some of the symptoms of heat stroke are very similar to heat exhaustion, but there won’t be any sweating at all, and the skin will be red, hot, and dry.  The person may also have rapid, shallow breathing and could have seizures. 

Heat stroke can strike anyone of any age, but elderly people who live in apartments or homes without air conditioning or good airflow are the most susceptible.  Other high risk groups are those who don’t drink enough while working/playing outside (construction workers, runners), those with chronic diseases that leave someone unable to regulate their body temperatures (cancer), and alcoholics. Heat stroke is also related to the heat index like heat exhaustion, and is also more commonly found happening to people in urban areas due to that “heat island effect”.   

So what do you do to help someone suffering from either heat exhaustion or heat stroke?  First thing you want to do is move the person to a cooler environment, if at all possible. If all you have is the shade of a tree, that can still help.  If the person is showing signs of heat stroke, call 911 before thinking of moving them.  Listed beside this text is some ideas of what you can do for each type of heat related issue.  If you still aren’t sure what to do to help or if what you are trying doesn’t work, call 911 and get some trained medical personnel to the scene for assistance. 

Of course, prevention is always the best course of action in the long run.  If you know you will be outside on those hot, humid days make sure that you wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing (darker colors absorb the heat faster than light-colors do).  Try to wear a hat, if at all possible. Drink lots of extra fluids (include sports drinks as well to prevent salt depleted heat exhaustion), or just reschedule your activities after sunset, if at all possible.  When drinking those extra fluids, try to avoid anything that contains caffeine or alcohol because they cause you to actually lose more fluids, and can make the heat related illness even worse.  If you’re a senior who can’t afford to buy or run an air conditioner, check with your local agencies to see if you are eligible for assistance (LIHEAP-Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is the most common).  With the knowledge you just read here, you can help prevent or treat someone who has these issues. Let’s have a safe and healthy summer!