Don't Get Beat by the Heat
 By Steven Weaver, M.D.

Here are some tips to follow to prevent heat-related illnesses:

• Spend time in air-conditioned environments. Try going to a mall or movie theater.

• Stay hydrated. If you are physically active in hot weather, drink adequate amounts of fluids such as water and Gatorade. The CDC recommends to drink one glass of water for ever 15-30 minutes worked to replace lost body fluids.

• Avoid alcoholic beverages, coffee, and tea, as these can actually lead to dehydration.

• Perform activities during early hours of the day or after the sun goes down, avoiding the hottest part of the day.

• Take frequent rest periods to keep yourself hydrated. For those who need to work outside, at least a 10-15 minute break every two hours is effective. Adapt work, and pace yourself to the weather.

• Cover your head and wear lightly colored, lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.

• During a heat wave, check your family and neighbors that are elderly or homebound.

• Never leave children in cars or other confined spaces.

As an added warning, those people with known heart or respiratory disease should avoid activity in a hot humid environment. Infants, those who are bedridden, and the elderly are particularly at risk and need to be protected.

• Some of the signs and symptoms of developing problems with heat are:

• Profuse sweating with pale, cool, moist skin.

• No sweating with red, hot, dry skin.

• Muscle cramping and/or pain.

• Feeling faint and/or dizzy.

• Complaints of headache, weakness, excessive thirst, or nausea.

Provide help by removing the person from the heat, providing adequate fluids and running cool water over them to reduce the effects of the heat.

You should call a doctor for heat exhaustion, possible heat stroke, or more serious problems if the person:

• Cannot keep fluids down.

• Has a change in mental status, such as loss of consciousness, confusion, or delirium.

• Becomes short of breath or has chest or abdominal pain.

Suspected heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency - call 911.

Dr. Steven Weaver is a board-certified internist at North Canton Medical Foundation. He takes special interest in multiple multisystem health problems, hospital medicine, and diagnostic medicine. To learn more, please call 330-433-1555.