Heat Related Diseases
Dehydration and Heat Stroke Can Be Prevented
Summer is the time of the year we've been waiting
for, and we're likely to spend more time outdoors
exercising, thus increasing our exposure to the suns
rays and the hotter temperatures. To protect
yourself and family from dehydration and heat
stroke, take appropriate precautions. Heat related
diseases can be very harmful if not addressed
immediately.
Dehydration:
Causes for dehydration include diarrhea, fever,
vomiting, and occasionally drugs; but heat related
dehydration is due to overexposure to the sun
and/or extreme temperatures. Each day we lose
fluid through excretion, breathing, sweating and
tears. We generally replace these fluids by drinking
liquids and eating foods that contain water.
When experiencing dehydration symptoms can
include:
Thirst
Less-frequent urination
Dry skin
Fatigue
Light-headedness
Muscle cramping
Dizziness
Confusion
Dry mouth and mucous membranes
Children may also experience:
Dry mouth and tongue
No tears when crying
No wet diapers for more than 3 hours
Sunken abdomen, eyes or cheeks
High fever
Listlessness
Irritability
Skin that does not flatten when pinched and
released
If caught early enough, dehydration may be treated
at home under a doctor's guidance. For mild cases,
fluids such as sports drinks are appropriate for
restoring body fluids, electrolytes, and salt balance.
More serious cases of dehydration should be
treated as medical emergencies and hospitalization
may be required.
Precautions:
Drink plenty of fluids during exposure to the sun
and heat
Intake more fluids then your body loses
When possible, perform outdoor activities during
the cooler part of the day
Consume sports drinks to help maintain electrolyte
balance
For infants and young children, solutions like
Pedialyte will help maintain electrolyte balance
during heat exposure
Heat stroke (sun stroke)
Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat illness
and is a life threatening. It results from long
exposure to extreme sun and heat when a person
does not sweat enough to lower their body
temperature. The condition can develop quickly
and requires medical attention immediately.
Our bodies produce heat, which is generally
dissipated through our skin and sweating. However
under some circumstances such as extreme heat,
high humidity or vigorous activities in the sun/heat
our system may not dissipate the heat quickly
enough, causing our body temperature to rise to
dangerous levels. Dehydration can lead to heat
stroke if a person cannot sweat enough to cool his
body.
Heat stroke symptoms may include:
Headache
Dizziness
Disorientation, agitation or confusion
Sluggishness or fatigue
Seizure
Hot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty
A high body temperature
Loss of consciousness
Rapid heart beat
Hallucinations
Heat stroke is very serious and can cause
permanent damage to internal organs or result in
death. If someone is stricken with heat stroke,
Call for medical assistance
Move the person inside
Remove clothing and apply cool water and fanning
to simulate sweating
Apply ice packs to groin and armpits
Have person lay down in cool area and elevate feet
Precautions: Follow precautions for dehydration
and:
Wear hats, sunglasses and use umbrella to protect
from sun
Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing
Take frequent water breaks while outdoors
Limit exposure to sun on hot or humid days
Be safe, be smart, stay hydrated and enjoy your
summer!
Heat Related Diseases
Dehydration and Heat Stroke Can Be Prevented
Summer is the time of the year we've been waiting
for, and we're likely to spend more time outdoors
exercising, thus increasing our exposure to the suns
rays and the hotter temperatures. To protect
yourself and family from dehydration and heat
stroke, take appropriate precautions. Heat related
diseases can be very harmful if not addressed
immediately.
Dehydration:
Causes for dehydration include diarrhea, fever,
vomiting, and occasionally drugs; but heat related
dehydration is due to overexposure to the sun
and/or extreme temperatures. Each day we lose
fluid through excretion, breathing, sweating and
tears. We generally replace these fluids by drinking
liquids and eating foods that contain water.
When experiencing dehydration symptoms can
include:
Thirst
Less-frequent urination
Dry skin
Fatigue
Light-headedness
Muscle cramping
Dizziness
Confusion
Dry mouth and mucous membranes
Children may also experience:
Dry mouth and tongue
No tears when crying
No wet diapers for more than 3 hours
Sunken abdomen, eyes or cheeks
High fever
Listlessness
Irritability
Skin that does not flatten when pinched and
released
If caught early enough, dehydration may be treated
at home under a doctor's guidance. For mild cases,
fluids such as sports drinks are appropriate for
restoring body fluids, electrolytes, and salt balance.
More serious cases of dehydration should be
treated as medical emergencies and hospitalization
may be required.
Precautions:
Drink plenty of fluids during exposure to the sun
and heat
Intake more fluids then your body loses
When possible, perform outdoor activities during
the cooler part of the day
Consume sports drinks to help maintain electrolyte
balance
For infants and young children, solutions like
Pedialyte will help maintain electrolyte balance
during heat exposure
Heat stroke (sun stroke)
Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat illness
and is a life threatening. It results from long
exposure to extreme sun and heat when a person
does not sweat enough to lower their body
temperature. The condition can develop quickly
and requires medical attention immediately.
Our bodies produce heat, which is generally
dissipated through our skin and sweating. However
under some circumstances such as extreme heat,
high humidity or vigorous activities in the sun/heat
our system may not dissipate the heat quickly
enough, causing our body temperature to rise to
dangerous levels. Dehydration can lead to heat
stroke if a person cannot sweat enough to cool his
body.
Heat stroke symptoms may include:
Headache
Dizziness
Disorientation, agitation or confusion
Sluggishness or fatigue
Seizure
Hot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty
A high body temperature
Loss of consciousness
Rapid heart beat
Hallucinations
Heat stroke is very serious and can cause
permanent damage to internal organs or result in
death. If someone is stricken with heat stroke,
Call for medical assistance
Move the person inside
Remove clothing and apply cool water and fanning
to simulate sweating
Apply ice packs to groin and armpits
Have person lay down in cool area and elevate feet
Precautions: Follow precautions for dehydration
and:
Wear hats, sunglasses and use umbrella to protect
from sun
Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing
Take frequent water breaks while outdoors
Limit exposure to sun on hot or humid days
Be safe, be smart, stay hydrated and enjoy your
summer!
4.
If someone is stricken with
heat stroke you should do which of
the following:
4.
If someone is stricken with
heat stroke you should do which of
the following:
a. Call for medical
SAFETY QUIZ
Preventing Heat-Related Injuries
1.
Which of the following is
not a symptom of heat stroke:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Headache.
Dizziness.
Rapid heartbeat.
Sudden bursts of energy.
assistance.
b. Apply ice packs to
groin and armpits.
c. Have the person lay
down in a cool area and elevate feet.
d. Move person inside.
e. All of the above.
5.
Which of the following is
not true:
a. Call for medical
SAFETY QUIZ
Preventing Heat-Related Injuries
1.
Which of the following is
not a symptom of heat stroke:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Headache.
Dizziness.
Rapid heartbeat.
Sudden bursts of energy.
assistance.
b. Apply ice packs to
groin and armpits.
c. Have the person lay
down in a cool area and elevate feet.
d. Move person inside.
e. All of the above.
5.
Which of the following is
not true:
a. Our bodies produce
2.
Which one is not a
precaution for dehydration:
a.
Wear hats.
b.
Wear lightweight, light
colored clothing.
c.
Take frequent water breaks
while outdoors.
d.
Limit exposure to the sun on
hot or humid days
e.
Drink hot coffee.
3.
What is a good practice
when working in hot weather:
a. Drink alcoholic beverages.
b. Intake more fluids
than your body loses.
c. Don’t consume sport
drinks to help maintain electrolyte
balance.
d. Work harder and
faster while exposed to the sun.
heat.
b. Dehydration can lead
to heat stroke.
c. Heat stroke is life
threatening.
d. Dehydration should
not be treated as a medical
emergency.
Print Name
______________________________
Sign Name
______________________________
a. Our bodies produce
2.
Which one is not a
precaution for dehydration:
a.
Wear hats.
b.
Wear lightweight, light
colored clothing.
c.
Take frequent water breaks
while outdoors.
d.
Limit exposure to the sun on
hot or humid days
e.
Drink hot coffee.
3.
What is a good practice
when working in hot weather:
a. Drink alcoholic beverages.
b. Intake more fluids
than your body loses.
c. Don’t consume sport
drinks to help maintain electrolyte
balance.
d. Work harder and
faster while exposed to the sun.
heat.
b. Dehydration can lead
to heat stroke.
c. Heat stroke is life
threatening.
d. Dehydration should
not be treated as a medical
emergency.
Print Name
______________________________
Sign Name
______________________________