Heatstroke and Heat exhaustion

[jericap Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close jericap]

With summer here and people going to different amusement parks. Here are the signs and symptoms of heat stroke/exhaustion. This article comes from MSN

Heat Exhaustion Instruction Sheet
From KidsHealth.org
During hot, humid weather, the body's internal temperature can rise and can result in heat exhaustion and heatstroke. If not quickly treated, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke, which requires immediate emergency medical care and can be fatal.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

Heat Exhaustion:

severe thirst
muscle weakness
nausea, sometimes vomiting
fast, shallow breathing
irritability
headache
increased sweating
cool, clammy skin
elevation of body temperature to less than 104 Fahrenheit (40 Celsius)


Heatstroke:

severe, throbbing headache
weakness, dizziness, or confusion
difficulty breathing
decreased responsiveness or loss of consciousness
may not be sweating
flushed, hot, dry skin
elevation of body temperature to 104 Fahrenheit (40 Celsius) or higher


WHAT TO DO:

If the child has a temperature of 104 Fahrenheit (40 Celsius) or more, or shows any symptoms of heatstroke, seek emergency medical care (911) immediately. In cases of heat exhaustion and while awaiting help for a child with possible heatstroke:

Bring the child indoors or into the shade immediately.
Undress the child.
Have the child lie down; elevate feet slightly.
If the child is alert, place in cool (not cold) bathwater, or sponge-bathe the child repeatedly. If outside, spray the child with mist from a garden hose.
If the child is alert, give frequent sips of cool, clear fluids (clear juices or sports drinks are best).
If the child is vomiting, turn his or her body to the side to prevent choking.
Monitor the child's temperature.
Think Prevention!

Teach children to always drink plenty of fluids before and during any activity in hot, sunny weather - even if they aren't thirsty. Make sure kids wear light-colored loose clothing and only participate in heavy activity outdoors before noon or after 6 PM. Teach children to come indoors immediately whenever they feel overheated.

Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult a doctor. Review this with a doctor prior to use

[Joe L Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe L]

So important, thanks for posting

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

From years of doing field work in the desert southwest, here's my approach.

Before I go out, I get fully hydrated, and i try to drink water frequently.

I also set the alarm on my watch or cell phone to go off in two hours. If the alarm goes off and I have not had urinate or am not ready at that time to urinate, I immediately start increasing my water intake. I also set my alarm to go off again in one hour. If another hour passes and I haven't had to urinate, I stop working and start drinking until i'm fully hydrated. Then start another one-hour cycle.

If I have needed to urinate, I start another two-hour cycle.

***************

Many people don't realize how much water the body loses just through breathing. Water evaporates from the lung passageways just as it does from the surface of the skin. If a person is being cooled sufficiently by evaporation inside the lungs, the person will not start sweating. But they will be still be losing significant amounts of water.

The drier the air, the more evaporation occurs in the lungs and the less the need for sweating. People who are used to humid heat - where you start sweating profusely as soon as the temperature goes above 90 F - often don't account for that change.

[jericap Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close jericap]

I also watch how often the kids urinate...along with myself and my husband. It's a great way to monitor hydration!

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Having experienced the exhaustion or stroke, I make it a point to hydrate when in the heat for some time. I was out of action for about 3 days once and never want to repeat the experience.