Beating The Heat — Safely

Staying cool and beating the heat can become a serious challenge for many people.

“People have to take the initiative and protect themselves from the heat,” says Dr Phil Brewer of Yale-New Haven Hospital’s department of emergency medicine. “The elderly and very young are certainly the most vulnerable. Heat stroke is most often seen in elderly people during and following a heat wave, as are athletes participating in extreme heat. We’ve been lulled into wondering if the warmer weather will ever get here, but when it does, people need to prepare and be reminded of the dangers.”

While summer is a fun season and doctors encourage people to get outdoors and exercise, doctors still caution that necessary steps be taken for people to be aware of when they might be overdoing it. Some steps to consider when protecting yourself from heat-related illnesses include:

Wear light-colored, absorbent, loose-fitting clothing and a hat.

Drink plenty of water and refrain from alcoholic beverages, which can contribute to dehydration. If you are exercising, drink about a quart of liquids an hour to replace essential fluids.

Stay in cool, shaded areas when possible, and if you must be in the sun, protect your skin with a sun block.

Cancel or postpone athletic activities during periods of high heat and humidity.

When heat-related illnesses occur, Dr Brewer says that knowing the signs is essential when it comes to administering first aid care.

“You might be suffering heat-related illnesses if when you are in the sun, you suddenly feel weak, sweat excessively, experience leg cramps, nausea, or vomiting,” said Dr Brewer. “It’s very important to treat minor symptoms appropriately to avoid the more serious heat stroke. Drinking fluids is very important. If the heat illness is so severe that the person is unable to drink, they should be seen by a physician or in the emergency department for fluid administration.”