Tips for preventing Heat-Related Illness...

Tips for preventing Heat-Related Illness... by _ShAnE_StArK_ 2015/05/11 12:28
The best defense is prevention. Here
are some prevention tips:
Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless
of your activity level. Dont wait until youre
thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor
generally limits the amount of fluid you drink
or has you on water pills, ask him how much
you should drink while the weather is hot.
Dont drink liquids that contain alcohol or
large amounts of sugarthese actually
cause you to lose more body fluid. Also,
avoid very cold drinks, because they can
cause stomach cramps.
Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an
air-conditioned place. If your home does not
have air conditioning, go to the shopping
mall or public libraryeven a few hours
spent in air conditioning can help your body
stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
Call your local health department to see if
there are any heat-relief shelters in your
area.
Electric fans may provide comfort, but when
the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will
not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a
cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-
conditioned place is a much better way to
cool off.
Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting
clothing.
NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked
vehicle.
Although any one at any time can suffer
from heat-related illness, some people are at
greater risk than others. Check regularly on:
Infants and young children
People aged 65 or older
People who have a mental illness
Those who are physically ill, especially
with heart disease or high blood
pressure
Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and
closely watch them for signs of heat
exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young
children, of course, need much more
frequent watching.
If you must be out in the heat:
Limit your outdoor activity to morning and
evening hours.
Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise,
drink two to four glasses of cool,
nonalcoholic fluids each hour. A sports
beverage can replace the salt and minerals
you lose in sweat. Warning: If you are on a
low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before
drinking a sports beverage. Remember the
warning in the first tip (above), too.
Try to rest often in shady areas.
Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a
wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler)
and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen
of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective
products say broad spectrum or UVA/UVB
protection on their labels).