Avoiding Heat Stroke

Think you’re immune to heat stroke? Think again. Many people think their immune to it. They work outside in the heat everyday, they’re used to it. They think “it could never happen to them.” As you’re outside working it’s important to stay hydrated. Yeah, you hear that all the time don’t you? But have you actually stopped and thought about it? According to the Water Information Program, the human body is more than 60% water. So, when you’re outside working and sweating, you’re loosing a good amount of that water. It needs to be replaced. Profuse sweating, fatigue, thirst and muscle cramps, usually in the stomach, arms or legs are some of the first signs to heat stroke, this first phase is categorized as heat cramps. When this happens you need to get inside to a cool place and replace the fluid you have lost with Gatorade or water.

If you choose to ignore these warning signs, the next phase will be heat exhaustion. The symptoms include: iheadache, dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea, skin that feels cool and moist, and muscle cramps. The symptoms are treated the same way, although it may take longer for you to feel better and if they don’t go away, seek medical attention!

According to the Mayo Clinic The cause of your heatstroke depends on the activities you do that bring on your condition. Heatstroke can occur in these ways:

• Environmental conditions. In a type of heatstroke called nonexertional heatstroke, your condition is caused by extreme environment temperatures that cause your body temperature to increase. You may be doing some light or moderate activity, but activity is not the primary cause of your heatstroke. This type of heatstroke is typical in warmer, more humid weather.
• Strenuous activity. In a type of heatstroke called exertional heatstroke, your condition is caused by strenuous activity that increases your body temperature. You can have exertional heatstroke even if you're accustomed to working or exercising in very hot temperatures, though heatstroke is more likely to occur if you're not accustomed to high temperatures.

In either exertional or nonexertional heatstroke, your condition can be brought on by:

• Wearing excess clothing that doesn't allow your sweat to evaporate easily
• Drinking alcohol, which can affect your body's ability to regulate your temperature.

Please remember to wear loose fitting clothing and STAY HYDRATED!


-Jenn V