When it is hot and humid, you can quickly suffer from heat stroke if you are working outdoors. You should recognize the causes and symptoms of heat stroke. You should also know treat heat stroke, so you prevent permanent disability or death. Those most susceptible to heat stroke include those on certain medications, infants, the elderly and those who work outside.
Cause
When you are in excessive heat outside in the sun for a prolonged period of time, your body loses its ability to regulate temperature. If you are participating in vigorous activity (working or sports) while outdoor temperatures and humidity are high, you can fall victim to heat stroke. If you do not receive immediate medical attention, you may possibly suffer permanent disability or die because this condition becomes serious very rapidly.
Recognizing Symptoms
Because your body is unable to cool down, your core temperature will quickly go up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. If you work outdoors, it is important for you, your supervisors and co-workers to know and be able to recognize heat-stroke symptoms. You will start to feel sick, with a severe headache, nausea and a high fever. You will stop sweating, which is one way your body regulates temperature. Your skin will become hot and dry. If you or people around you don't recognize your symptoms as heat stroke, you will collapse and become comatose.
Other symptoms of heat stroke include dizziness, fatigue, dizziness, agitation, confusion or disorientation, a rapid heart beat, flushed skin, hallucinations and seizures. Not everybody suffers from the same symptoms as listed here, although these are the most common heat stroke symptoms. Your symptoms might be different from those of another person who develops heat stroke.
Things to Do for Victims
If you are working outside with someone who is starting to look ill with heat stroke symptoms, get the person inside right away, remove clothing and sponge with cool water. As you sponge the victim with water, aim a fan in the victim's direction. Make the victim lie down in a cool area and elevate the feet. Put ice packs in the groin area and in the armpits.
Do not give the victim alcohol to drink. Alcohol will only cause additional dehydration. Try to monitor body temperature and keep trying to cool the victim down. Once the body temperature drops to 101 or 102 degrees Fahrenheit, you can ease up on cooling efforts. Call emergency medical services and get medical help for the victim as quickly as possible. If medical assistance is delayed, ask emergency room staff if they can give you more instructions to get your co-worker's temperature down.
If the person starts to have a seizure, try to keep him or her from getting hurt. If he or she begins to vomit, turn the person to one side.
Beating the Heat
Don't exert yourself when it is extremely hot or humid. If you do have to work outside, drink plenty of cool water or any sports drink/electrolyte-replacement beverage. Wear light colored, loose clothing and a hat. Take breaks frequently, so you can drink more water.
Wet your T-shirt, wring it out and put it back on. The water will evaporate and cool you down. Immerse your hands up to your wrists into cold water. Put a wet washcloth on your forehead and on the back of your neck.
Eat lightly and stick to raw vegetables and fruits. Try not to eat too much protein. Stay away from alcohol, stress and caffeine when it is hot.
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