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Heat Stress
High temperatures and humidity stress the body's ability to
cool itself, and heat illness becomes a special concern
during hot weather. There are three major forms of heat
illnesses: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke,
with heat stroke being a life threatening condition.
Heat Cramps
Heat cramps are muscle spasms that usually affect the arms,
legs, or stomach. Frequently they don't occur until sometime
later after work, at night, or when relaxing. Heavy sweating
causes heat cramps, especially when drinking water to
replace fluids but not including salt or potassium. Although
heat cramps can be quite painful, they usually don't result
in permanent damage. To prevent them, drink electrolyte
solutions such as Gatorade during the day and try eating
more fruits like bananas.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is more serious than heat cramps. It occurs
when the body's internal air-conditioning system is
overworked, but hasn't completely shut down. In heat
exhaustion, the surface blood vessels and capillaries, which
originally enlarged to cool the blood, collapse from loss of
body fluids and necessary minerals. This happens when you
don't drink enough fluids to replace what you're sweating
away.
The symptoms of heat exhaustion include: headache, heavy
sweating, intense thirst, dizziness, fatigue, loss of
coordination, nausea, impaired judgment, loss of appetite,
hyperventilation, tingling in hands or feet, anxiety, cool
moist skin, weak and rapid pulse (120-200), and low to
normal blood pressure.
Somebody suffering these symptoms should be moved to a cool
location such as a shaded area or air-conditioned building.
Have them lie down with their feet slightly elevated. Loosen
their clothing, apply cool, wet cloths or fan them. Have
them drink water or electrolyte drinks. Try to cool them
down, and have them checked by medical personnel. Victims of
heat exhaustion should avoid strenuous activity for at least
a day, and they should continue to drink water to replace
lost body fluids.
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is a life threatening illness with a high death
rate. It occurs when the body has depleted its supply of
water and salt, and the victim's body temperature rises to
deadly levels. A heat stroke victim may first suffer heat
cramps and/or the heat exhaustion before progressing into
the heat stroke stage, but this is not always the case. It
should be noted that, on the job, heat stroke is sometimes
mistaken for heart attack. It is therefore very important to
be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat stroke -
and to check for them anytime an employee collapses while
working in a hot environment.
The early symptoms of heat stroke include a high body
temperature (103 degrees F); a distinct absence of sweating
(usually); hot red or flushed dry skin; rapid pulse;
difficulty breathing; constricted pupils; any/all the signs
or symptoms of heat exhaustion such as dizziness, headache,
nausea, vomiting, or confusion, but more severe; bizarre
behavior; and high blood pressure. Advance symptoms may be
seizure or convulsions, collapse, loss of consciousness, and
a body temperature of over 108° F.
It is vital to lower a heat stroke victim's body
temperature. Seconds count. Pour water on them, fan them, or
apply cold packs. Call 911 and get an ambulance on the way
as soon as possible.
Anyone can suffer a heat illness, but by taking a few simple
precautions, they can be prevented:
• Condition yourself for working in hot environments - start
slowly then build up to more physical work.
Allow your body to adjust over a few days.
• Drink lots of liquids. Don't wait until you're thirsty, by
then, there's a good chance you're already on your
way to being dehydrated. Electrolyte drinks are good for replacing both
water and minerals lost through
sweating. Never drink alcohol, and avoid caffeinated beverages like
coffee and pop.
• Take a break if you notice you're getting a headache or
you start feeling overheated. Cool off for a few
minutes before going back to work.
• Wear lightweight, light colored clothing when working out
in the sun.
• Take advantage of fans and air-conditioners.
• Get enough sleep at night.
With a little caution and common sense, you can avoid
heat illnesses.
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