Summer 2009 Newsletter
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Helping you stay healthy.
Summer is here and although we have had a cooler than usual summer, the summer heat is starting to crank up and heat exhaustion and even heat stroke are the usual summer dangers. Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia (abnormally elevated body temperature). Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure, and people working or exercising in a hot environment. The body normally generates heat as a result of metabolism, and the body is usually able to dissipate the heat by either radiation of heat through the skin or by evaporation of sweat. However, in extreme heat, high humidity, or vigorous exertion under the sun, the body may not be able to dissipate the heat and the body temperature rises, sometimes up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Another cause of heat stroke is dehydration. A dehydrated person may not be able to sweat fast enough to dissipate heat, which causes the body temperature to rise.
The population most susceptible to heat strokes are infants, the elderly (often with associated heart diseases, lung diseases, kidney diseases, or taking certain medications that make them vulnerable to heat strokes), and athletes, or outdoor workers physically exerting themselves under the sun. Symptoms of heat stroke can sometimes mimic those of heart attack or other conditions. Sometimes a person experiences symptoms of heat exhaustion before progressing to heat strokes. Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, headache, muscle cramps and aches, and dizziness. However some individuals can develop symptoms of heat stroke suddenly and rapidly without warning.
Different people may have different symptoms and signs of heat stroke. But common symptoms and signs of heat stroke include:
- high body temperature
- the absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin
- rapid pulse
- difficulty breathing
- strange behavior
- hallucinations
- confusion
- agitation
- disorientation
- seizure
- coma
Victims of heat stroke must receive immediate treatment to avoid permanent organ damage. First and foremost, cool the victim. Get the victim to a shady area, remove clothing, apply cool or tepid water to the skin (for example you may spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose), fan the victim to promote sweating and evaporation, place ice packs under armpits and groins. Monitor body temperature with a thermometer and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101-102 degrees. Always notify emergency services (911) immediately. If their arrival is delayed, they can give you further instructions for treatment of the victim.
The most important measures to prevent heat strokes are to avoid becoming dehydrated, and to avoid vigorous physical activities in hot and humid weather. If you have to perform physical activities in hot weather, drink plenty of fluids (such as water and Gatorade), but avoid alcohol, coffee, and tea which may lead to dehydration. Take frequent breaks to hydrate yourself. Wear hats, and light colored, and light and loose clothes.
Many people call and ask me what the best treatment is for sunburn. Unfortunately there is relatively little that can be done for sunburn once it occurs. Cooling the burn with moist soaks or aloe may provide some symptomatic relief. In addition, acetaminophen or ibuprofen may provide some symptom relief. Therefore, the best treatment for sunburn as well as the potentially carcinogenic effects of sun exposure is prevention. Wear hats and loose fitting light-colored clothing to prevent sun exposure. For areas which cannot be covered, use a good sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection with a minimum SPF of 15. In addition, try to avoid times when the sun’s rays are most intense, generally from about 11:00 am to about 3:00 pm daily. Many people just have to have that “summer tan. ” Dermatologists believe that there is no safe amount of sun exposure, and the effects of sun exposure may be cumulative, leading to dry, wrinkled, sun-damaged skin as well as various types of skin cancer, the most worrisome of which is melanoma. So, even though you may feel like pale skin is not attractive, pale skin is healthier for the long term. Some medications may increase your sensitivity to sun rays and increase the likelihood you will burn. Many of these medications can be found on MedicineNet.com.
Have a safe and healthy summer!
Much of content for this article came from MedicineNet.com.
