Prolonged exposure to extreme heat or over exertion in hot weather can lead to heat related illnesses ranging in severity from heat cramps to heatstroke.
The key to avoiding heat illnesses is prevention; limit your outdoor time on hot days, take a break in cool places or rest in the shade, and drink lots of water.
How to recognize and treat heat illnesses
– Heat cramps: Heat cramps are painful muscle cramps, usually in the legs and abdomen that occur due to excessive sweating. Heat cramps can usually be reversed by drinking water or Sports drinks. If the cramps don’t go away seek medical help.
– Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion is a more serious condition where the individual affected has lost fluid due to excessive sweating. Signs of heat exhaustion include; excessive sweating, dilated pupils, dizziness, blurred vision, headaches or cramps, and signs of shock (cold clammy skin, weak, rapid pulse; rapid, shallow breathing, vomiting and unconsciousness).
If you suspect someone conscious is suffering from heat exhaustion call for medical help and give the individual water or Sports drinks to drink.
– Heatstroke: Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition where the body’s temperature rises far above normal (40C or higher). Those affected by heatstroke will be hot to the touch, pulse will be rapid and full but will get weaker as the heatstroke progresses, breathing is noisy, skin is flushed and hot, the individual will be restless and may complain of headaches, fatigue, dizziness and nausea, vomiting, convulsions and unconsciousness may also occur. If you suspect someone is suffering from heatstroke seek medical help immediately.
It is of vital importance you lower the affected individual’s body temperature. Move the individual to a cool place and give ongoing first aid until relieved by medical help.
submitted by St. John Ambulance
