How about a swimming pool full of iced tea instead?
All this and more at NashvilleWX
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 21, 2010
CONTACT: Shelley L. Walker
615.741.3111 (office)
615.804.9972 (cell)
SIMPLE STEPS PREVENT HEAT RELATED ILLNESS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Hot, humid weather is a hallmark of summertime in
Tennessee. While activities of daily life often mean exposing ourselves
to extreme heat, the Department of Health offers simple tips that can
help reduce your risk of seasonal illness during the hot summer months.
Temperatures that soar into the 90s and beyond raise the risk for
heat-related illness. Heat-related illnesses include heat stroke, heat
exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash. Signs of heat-related illness
include dizziness, heavy sweating, muscle cramps, rapid heart beat,
nausea, headaches and cold/clammy skin.
“Heat-related illnesses sicken people and claim lives every year,
even though these problems are preventable,” said Health Commissioner
Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN. “We urge Tennesseans to make smart choices
about their exposure to extreme heat. Try to avoid going outside during
the hottest part of the day, and be sure never to leave anyone
unattended in a car.”
It’s also important to take steps to protect the very young and the
elderly, who are at greater risk for health problems caused by extreme
heat. People with chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes,
obesity and lung disease are also at an increased risk of heat-related
illnesses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a few simple
steps to avoid these preventable heat-related illnesses.
●Drink plenty of fluids. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink.
Remember to consume non-alcoholic, low-sugar drinks in hot weather.
●Replace salt and minerals. Heavy sweating can deplete your body’s
salt and minerals. Non-alcoholic drinks, like sports drinks, can help
you replenish these reserves.
●Wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen. Choose lightweight,
light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, as well as a wide-brimmed hat and
sunglasses with UV protection. Wear SPF 15 or higher sunblock every
day.
●Schedule outdoor activities carefully. Try to limit outdoor activity
to morning and evening hours with rest breaks in shady areas, if
available. UV rays are strongest and do the most damage during midday
hours.
●Pace yourself. If you are unaccustomed to working or exercising in a
hot environment, start slowly and increase effort gradually. If your
heart is pounding or you are gasping for breath, stop the activity and
rest in a cool, shady area.
●Stay cool indoors. If your home does not have air conditioning, go
to the mall or library to cool off. Cool showers or baths, and keeping
your stove and oven off are other ways to cool down inside.
●Use the buddy system. Partner with a friend and watch each other for
signs of heat-related illness. Senior citizens are more susceptible, so
if you know someone over age 65, check on him or her over the phone
twice a day.
Heat stroke is the most life-threatening heat-related illness. Each
year, about 400 people nationwide die from heat stroke. Heat stroke
occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature, which rises
quickly without the ability to cool down. If emergency treatment is not
provided, heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability. Symptoms
include body temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit; red, hot and dry
skin without sweating; rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache;
dizziness; nausea; confusion and loss of consciousness.
Call for immediate medical help if you believe you are or another
person is experiencing heat stroke. Do not give the victim any fluids to
drink. While waiting on emergency assistance, get the victim to a shady
area, cool him or her rapidly using cool water and monitor body
temperature until it reaches 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
For more information about heat-related illnesses, including prevention
and treatment tips, visit the CDC’s Extreme Heat Safety
Web site at CDC.GOV.
