One of my clients just experienced Heat Exhaution when he came to see me today. Thank godness I can recognize the signs and I know his medical history pretty well (and being a nurse helps too!) I was able to care for him properly and get him the medical attention he needed. I know he loved the sponge bath too!!
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Almost every summer there is a deadly heat wave in some part of the country. Too much heat is not safe for anyone. It is even riskier if you are older or if you have health problems. It is important to get relief from the heat quickly. If not, you might begin to feel confused or faint. Your heart could become stressed, and maybe stop beating.

Your body is always working to keep a balance between how much heat it makes and how much it loses. Your brain is the thermostat. It sends and receives signals to and from parts of your body that affect temperature, such as the spinal cord, muscles, blood vessels, skin, and glands that make substances known as hormones. Too much heat causes sweating. When the sweat dries from your skin, the surface of your body cools and your temperature goes down.

Being hot for too long can cause many illnesses, all grouped under the name hyperthermia:

HEAT CRAMPS: painful tightening of muscles in your stomach area, arms, or legs. Cramps can result from hard work or exercise. While your body temperature and pulse usually stay normal during heat cramps, your skin may feel moist and cool. Take these cramps as a sign that you are too hot — find a way to cool your body down. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, but not those containing alcohol or caffeine. .

HEAT EDEMA: a swelling in your ankles and feet when you get hot. Putting your legs up should help. If that doesn’t work fairly quickly, check with your doctor.

HEAT SYNCOPE: sudden dizziness that may come on when you are active in the heat. If you take a form of heart medication known as a beta blocker or are not used to hot weather, you are even more likely to feel faint when in the heat. Putting your legs up and resting in a cool place should make the dizzy feeling go away.

HEAT EXHAUSTION:a warning that your body can no longer keep itself cool. You might feel thirsty, dizzy, weak, uncoordinated, nauseated, and sweat a lot. Your body temperature stays normal, skin feels cold and clammy. Your pulse can be normal or raised. Resting in a cool place, drinking plenty of fluids, and getting medical care should help you feel better soon. If not, this condition can progress to heat stroke.

HEAT STROKE: is an emergency — it can be life threatening! You need to get medical help right away. Getting to a cool place is very important, but so is treatment by a doctor. Many people die of heat stroke each year. Older people living in homes or apartments without air conditioning or good airflow are at most risk. So are people who don’t drink enough water or those with chronic diseases or alcoholism.

The Signs of Heat Stroke:
*Fainting, possibly the first sign,
*Body temperature over 104° F,
*A change in behavior — confusion, being grouchy, acting strangely, or staggering,
*Dry flushed skin and a strong rapid pulse or a slow weak pulse,
*Not sweating, despite the heat, acting delirious, or being in a coma.

Who Is at Risk:
Hundreds of people die from hyperthermia each year during very hot weather. Most are over 50 years old. The temperature outside or inside does not have to hit 100° F for you to be at risk for a heat-related illness. Health problems that put you at risk include:

*Heart or blood vessel problems, poorly working sweat glands, or changes in your skin caused by normal aging.
*Heart, lung, or kidney disease, as well as any illness that makes you feel weak all over or causes a fever.
*High blood pressure or other conditions that make it necessary for you to change some of the foods you eat. For example, if you are supposed to avoid salt in your food, your risk of heat-related illness may be higher. Check with your doctor.
*Conditions treated by drugs such as diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, and some heart and blood pressure medicines. These may make it harder for your body to cool itself by perspiring.
*Taking several drugs for a variety of health problems. Keep taking your prescriptions, but ask your doctor what to do if the drugs you are taking make you more likely to become overheated.
*Being quite a bit overweight or underweight.
*Drinking alcoholic beverages.

What Should You Remember:
Headache, confusion, dizziness, or nausea when you’re in a hot place or during hot weather could be a sign of a heat-related illness. Go to the doctor or an emergency room to find out if you need treatment.

To keep heat-related illnesses from becoming a dangerous heat stroke, remember to:
*Get out of the sun and into a cool place — air-conditioning is best.
*Offer fluids, but avoid alcohol and caffeine. Water and fruit and vegetable juices are best.
*Shower or bathe, or at least sponge off with cool water.
*Lie down and rest, if possible in a cool place.
*Visit your doctor or an emergency room if you don’t cool down quickly.

*(This is not a means of diagnosing or treatment by me. ALWAYS check with your health care professional if you are unsure)

~bliss~PHIL me up!!

Great info...thank you Bliss, and that is one lucky guy that came through your door today!!

Deb

All this time people told me I was grouchy and it turns out I had heat stroke

Ducky

ONLY because I care
And to make beating the heat even more fun.... SHOWER WITH A FRIEND!!

~bliss~its 4:19, got a minute?