Exposure to heat will cause your body to lose fluids from sweating. Heat injuries result from the body’s inability to replace fluids that are lost from sweating. Many people think that drinking fluids will protect you from heat injury. This is false. Both food and fluids are required to replace the fluids lost due to sweating.
Water is the fluid of choice. Sports drinks are very good as well because of the content of electrolytes. Water is best.
Alcohol consumption prior to heat exposure increases the likelihood of heat injury.
Prescription medications and over-the-counter medications can increase the likelihood of heat injuries
Stages of Heat Injuries and Treatment:
Heat Cramps:
Heat cramps are caused by the excessive loss of electrolytes. You must drink plenty of water as well as eat three meals a day.
Remove the person from the sun, loosen clothing and give them sips of water. Do not massage cramps. Help the patient to stay calm. Get the patient to the hospital or to a doctor for proper evaluation and treatment of chemical imbalance.
Heat Exhaustion:
Heat exhaustion is caused by long durations of exercise or work in hot/ humid environments where the person loses too much salt and water from sweating. It often occurs to persons that are physically fit. The person will appear as sweaty, their skin pale and clammy, feel weak and dizzy, with headache and no appetite.
Remove the person from the sun and cool them by loosening their clothing. If alert, give them small sips of water, apply cold compresses and have them lay down with their feet elevated. If the person is unconscious, loosen their clothing, cool the body and contact an Emergency Medical Provider.
Anyone that has suffered heat exhaustion in the past is more likely to suffer another heat injury in the future.
Heat Stroke:
Heat stroke is life threatening. The skin appears red, hot and dry and the body temperature rises. The patient can be unconscious, comatose or near comatose with a strong, rapid pulse. Damage can occur to the brain and other internal organs.
Treatment:
1. Move patient into the shade and remove clothing.
2. Apply ice packs under the neck, armpits, groin and behind the knees.
3. Cool patient with water and fans if possible.
4. Call 911.