July 5, 2007
Protect Your Health during Scorching Heat
As unusually high temperatures bake the state this week, the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) urges Montanans to take extra precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses or death.
Common sense and minor adjustments to lifestyle can help people avoid heat stroke, heat exhaustion, cramps, sunburn, and rashes, according to Dr. Steve Helgerson, state medical officer at DPHHS.
Heat illness occurs when the body can’t compensate for high temperatures, so its cooling mechanism begins to shut down. Heat illness can affect anyone, but those who are very young or old and those who have existing medical conditions are especially at risk, Helgerson said.
Various health issues such as age, obesity, dehydration, heart disease, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol use can speed adverse effects of heat. Helgerson suggested that Montanans look out for their elderly or ailing neighbors, as well as themselves and their families, during periods of extreme heat this summer.
Extreme heat is dangerous, too, for those who work outdoors. If possible, they should take more breaks, drink more fluids, and try to get more work done during the cooler early morning hours, Helgerson said.
Drinking more fluids is critical. If people don’t keep their body hydrated, they can become susceptible to heat stroke, which can cause brain damage and even death.
Symptoms of heat illness include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, nausea, weak but rapid pulse, and headaches. People with these symptoms should find shade in a well-ventilated area and drink water slowly.
Helgerson said people should seek medical attention if:
- Their body temperature climbs higher than 103 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Their skin is red and hot but they are no longer sweating.
- They suffer from dizziness and confusion.
If a person who has been exposed to heat loses consciousness, they need immediate medical help.
One of the most effective ways to fight heat is to stay in an air-conditioned area, either at home or in a public place such as a mall, library, or recreation center. If you don’t have air conditioning, pull the shades over your windows and use cross-ventilation and fans to cool your rooms. A cool shower or bath also is an effective way to cool off. Limit your use of stoves and ovens to keep from raising the temperature in your home even higher.
Other tips for beating the heat:
- Increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to take a drink.
- Avoid beverages containing alcohol or large amounts of sugar because they dehydrate the body.
- Avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
- Electric fans may make a room more comfortable when the temperature is in the 90s or higher, but they will not prevent heat-related illness. Take a cool shower or bath or move to an air-conditioned place instead.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
- Limit or avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
- Never leave children or pets – or anyone, for that matter – in a closed, parked vehicle, not even for a few minutes.
For more information on heat-related issues, visit the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at: www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp. Or contact your medical provider or local health department.
