Article # 475. Hot Weather – Tips for your health

To help keep cool this summer, here are some tips to keep safe in hot weather:

1.   Never leave children, disabled persons, or pets in a parked car - even briefly. Temperatures in a car can become life threatening within minutes. On an 80-degree day, the temperature inside a car even with the windows cracked slightly can reach 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes!

2. Keep your living space cool. Cover windows to keep the sun from shining in. If you don't have an air conditioner, open windows to let air circulate. When it's hotter than 95 degrees, use fans to blow hot air out of the window rather than to blow hot air on to your body. Basements or ground floors are often cooler than upper floors.
3. Slow down and limit physical activity. Plan outings or exertion for the early morning or after dark, when temperatures are cooler.
4. Drink plenty of water and eat lightly. Don't wait for thirst, but instead drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid alcohol or caffeine and stay away from hot, heavy meals.
5. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing. Add a hat or umbrella to keep your head cool…and don't forget sunscreen!
6. Don't stop taking medication unless your doctor says you should. Take extra care to stay cool, and ask your doctor or pharmacist for any special heat advice.
7. Taking a cool shower or bath will cool you down. A shower or bath will actually work faster than air conditioner. Applying cold wet rags to the neck, head and limbs also cools down the body quickly.

SYMPTOMS OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS AND WHAT TO DO

·         Heat Cramps - cramps or muscle spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs.

Solution: Stop activity. Cool down, drink clear juice or sports drink.

·         Heat Exhaustion - heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, fainting.

Solution: Cool down, seek medical attention.

·         Heat Stroke - extremely high body temperature, red, hot, dry skin, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unconsciousness.

Solution: Call Doctor and cool the victim with shower or hose until help arrives.

People at higher risk of a heat-related illness include:

·  Older adults

·  Infants and young children

·  People with chronic heart or lung problems

·  People with disabilities

·  Overweight persons

·  Those who work outdoors or in hot settings

·  Users of some medications, especially those taken for mental disorders, movement disorder, allergies, depression, and heart or circulatory problems

·  People who are isolated that don't know when or how to cool off - or when to call for help