Heat waves a health concern – stay cool and safe this summer
Everyone is excited about summer, but they should not relax when guarding themselves against the hot summer weather.
Springs has been experiencing unusually hot weather these past few weeks, with little sign of letting up.
The high temperatures remind us that global warming is an issue and we need to take better care of ourselves and each other.
Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness that usually occurs after a person has been exposed to high temperatures for a prolonged duration.
Heat exhaustion is the mildest illness and heat stroke is the most severe. The illness presents itself differently for everyone, but there are some common symptoms to look out for.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion are:
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Heavy sweating
• Nausea and vomiting or diarrhoea
It is very important to look for these signs when anyone gets sick to help them as soon as possible. Getting the person out of the hot environment and into a cooler area can be a start.
Other treatments include having them drink lots of liquids to replace the ones they have lost. Make sure to avoid caffeine and alcoholic drinks. Other tips include:
• Remove any unnecessary clothing
• Give them a cool sponge bath or have them take a shower
• Provide the sick person with fans or damp towels to help cool them down.
If the person does not get better or continues to get worse after 15 minutes of intervention, seek medical attention immediately as untreated heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke.
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