Heat-related deaths and illness are preventable, yet annuallymany people succumb to extreme heat.
Historically, from 1979-2003, excessive heat exposure caused 8,015deaths in the United States. During this period, more people inthis country died from extreme heat than from hurricanes,lightning, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes combined. In 2001, 300deaths were caused by excessive heat exposure.
People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable tocompensate and properly cool themselves. the body normally coolsitself by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating just isn’tenough. In such cases, a person’s body temperature rises rapidly.very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vitalorgans.
Several factors affect the body’s ability to cool itself duringextremely hot weather. When the humidity is high, sweat will notevaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heatquickly. other conditions related to risk include age, obesity,fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poorcirculation, sunburn and prescription drug and alcohol use.
Because heat-related deaths are preventable, people need to beaware of who is at greatest risk and what actions can be taken toprevent a heat-related illness or death. the elderly, the veryyoung, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases are athighest risk. However, even young and healthy individuals cansuccumb to heat if they participate in strenuous physicalactivities during hot weather. Air-conditioning is the number oneprotective factor against heat-related illness and death. if a homeis not air-conditioned, people can reduce their risk forheat-related illness by spending time in public facilities that areair-conditioned.
WHAT IS EXTREME HEAT?
Conditions of extreme heat are defined as summertime temperaturesthat are substantially hotter and/or more humid than average forlocation at that time of year. Humid or muggy conditions, which addto the discomfort of high temperatures, occur when a “dome” of highatmospheric pressure traps hazy, damp air near the ground.Extremely dry and hot conditions can provoke dust storms and lowvisibility. Droughts occur when a long period passes withoutsubstantial rainfall. a heat wave combined with a drought is a verydangerous situation.
To protect your health when temperatures are extremely high,remember to keep cool and use common sense. the following tips areimportant:
Drink plenty of fluids
During hot weather you will need to increase your fluid intake,regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirstyto drink. During heavy exercise in a hot environment, drink two tofour glasses (16-32 ounces) of cool fluids each hour.
Warning: if your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid youdrink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drinkwhile the weather is hot.
Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol, or large amounts ofsugar-these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. also avoidvery cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body. these arenecessary for your body and must be replaced. if you must exercise,drink two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour.a sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose insweat. However, if you are on a low-salt diet, talk with yourdoctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salttablets.
clothing and sunscreen
Wear as little clothing as possible when you are at home. Chooselightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Sunburn affectsyour body’s ability to cool itself and causes a loss of bodyfluids. It also causes pain and damages the skin. if you must gooutdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmedhat (also keeps you cooler) along with sunglasses, and by puttingon sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say”broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels) 30minutes prior to going out. Continue to reapply it according to thepackage directions.
If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity tomorning and evening hours. try to rest often in shady areas so thatyour body’s thermostat will have a chance to recover.
Stay cool indoors
Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditionedplace. if your home does not have air conditioning, go to theshopping mall or public library-even a few hours spent in airconditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back intothe heat. Call your local health department to see if there are anyheat-relief shelters in your area. Electric fans may providecomfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will notprevent heat-related illness. taking a cool shower or bath ormoving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cooloff. use your stove and oven less to maintain a cooler temperaturein your home.
Remember to keep cool and use common sense:
• Avoid hot foods and heavy meals – they add heat to yourbody.
• Drink plenty of fluids and replace salts and minerals in yourbody. Do not take salt tablets unless under medicalsupervision.
• Dress infants and children in cool, loose clothing and shadetheir heads and faces with hats or an umbrella.
• Limit sun exposure during mid-day hours and in places ofpotential severe exposure such as beaches.
• Do not leave infants, children or pets in a parked car.
• Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets, and leave the waterin a shady area.
For more information, please contact the Wabash County HealthDepartment at 263-3873 or visit the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention Web site, cdc.gov.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Daily Republican Register: Local News – Promote personal health and safety during extreme heat