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Periods of extremely hot weather --
heat waves -- can cause serious health problems for everyone. In
fact, among weather-related events, heat waves are a leading cause
of death. Illinois experienced this first-hand in July 1995, when
extreme heat contributed to the deaths of more than 700 people in
the Chicago area. Here are some commonly asked questions about hot
weather and heat-related illnesses and how to safely cope with these
conditions. What is
the heat index?
The heat index (HI) measures what
hot weather "feels like." It is determined by the air temperature
and the relative humidity.
The National Weather Service issues
a heat advisory when the heat index is expected to reach 105˚F
during any 24-hour period and the minimum HI during that period
remains 75˚F or higher. A heat warning is issued when the heat index
is expected to reach or exceed 115˚F on at least two consecutive
days and the minimum heat index during the period remains 80˚F or
higher.
These guidelines may be locally
adjusted, however, for large metropolitan areas. In Chicago, a heat
warning is to be issued when one of the three following conditions
exists or is expected imminently:
two consecutive days with a heat index of 105˚F to
110˚F; or
one day with a heat index of 110˚F or higher.
The National Weather Service
cautions that it is important to remember that heat index values are
devised for shady, light wind conditions.
Exposure to full sunshine can increase
these values by up to 15˚F. Also, strong winds -- particularly with
very hot, dry air -- can be extremely hazardous.
Why do high air
temperatures affect the body?
Normally, the body cools itself by
sweating. If temperatures are extremely high, however, sweating is
not enough to maintain the body's normal temperature. When this
happens, blood chemistry can change and internal organs -- including
the brain and kidneys -- can be damaged. Heat also can be stressful
if the temperature changes suddenly, since it usually takes several
days for the body to adjust to heat.
What are some of
the most common heat-related conditions?
The most common heat-related
conditions are heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, sunburn and
heat rash. Heatstroke and heat exhaustion are the most serious
conditions.
What is
heatstroke?
Heatstroke occurs when the body
becomes unable to control its temperature: the body's temperature
rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails and the body is unable
to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106˚F or higher within 10
to 15 minutes. Heatstroke can result from overexposure to direct
sunlight, with or without physical activity, or to very high indoor
temperatures. It can cause death or permanent disability if
emergency treatment is not given.
What are the
symptoms of heatstroke?
Symptoms of heatstroke include an
extremely high body temperature (above 103˚F, orally); red, hot and
dry skin; rapid pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea;
confusion; and unconsciousness.
How is
heatstroke treated?
If symptoms of heatstroke are
present, find a cool place, preferably an air-conditioned indoor
setting. Outside, find a spot in the shade. Put the person in a
semi-sitting position. Loosen his or her clothing and bathe the head
and body with COLD water. Seek medical attention immediately.
What is heat
exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion can result when too
much time is spent in a very warm environment, resulting in
excessive sweating without adequate fluid and electrolyte (salt and
minerals) replacement. This can occur either indoors or outdoors,
with or without exercise.
What are the
symptoms of heat exhaustion?
Symptoms of heat exhaustion may
include dizziness, headache, nausea, abdominal cramps, shallow
breathing, cool and clammy skin, muscle tremors and heavy
perspiration.
How is heat
exhaustion treated?
A person suffering from heat
exhaustion should be moved to an air-conditioned environment if
possible. If outside, move the person to a shady spot. Loosen the
person's clothing and encourage him or her to drink cool, non-alcoholic, decaffeinated beverages. Keep the person quiet. It may be
necessary to seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last
longer than one hour or if the person has heart problems or high
blood pressure. If left untreated, heat exhaustion may progress to
heatstroke.
How can I avoid
heat exhaustion and heatstroke?
Try to keep cool during extremely
hot weather. Stay in a cool environment (preferably air
conditioned), drink plenty of fluids -- such as water, fruit juices
or fruit drinks -- and use common sense. Heat injury may develop
with or without feelings of discomfort.
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What if I do
not have an air conditioner?
Seek out the nearest facility that
is air conditioned, such as a cooling shelter, a senior citizen
center, a church, the local YMCA or a center designated by your
community. Even short periods of time in a cool environment will
lessen the risk of heat injury. Fans alone will not effectively cool
an overheated person when air temperatures are above 90˚F.
In the wake of the 1995 heat wave
in Chicago, many older persons reported being afraid to open windows
or to venture out of their homes to go to cooling centers. In these
situations, people may want to contact the local police, their
church or a community group about being escorted to the nearest
cooling center.
What is "plenty
of fluids"?
"Plenty of fluids" means at least
1½ to 2 quarts of fluids daily. This can be water, fruit juice, or
fruit-flavored or carbonated drinks. Since aging can cause a
decreased thirst sensation, elderly persons should drink water,
fruit juices or other fruit drinks at regular intervals during the
day, even if they do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcoholic beverages and
those containing caffeine. Salt tablets are not substitutes for
fluids.
Who is most at
risk for heat-related problems?
Anyone can develop heat-related
problems if air ventilation is not adequate or if the person is
overexposed to direct sunlight. However, certain groups of people
are at increased risk during extremely hot weather. These include
elderly persons living alone, people with chronic medical
conditions, and persons taking certain medications.
What kinds of
medications cause special heat-related problems?
A number of different kinds of
medications can pose special problems during periods of extremely
hot weather. These include diuretics (water pills), many heart
medicines, diabetes medicine (tablets and insulin), psychoactive
drugs (antidepressants and mood altering drugs), antihistamines (hay
fever and allergy medicine) and antihypertensive (high blood
pressure) drugs. Do not change or discontinue prescribed medications
without advice from your physician.
How does living
alone increase the risk of heat trauma for the elderly?
Heat-induced illness can result in
confusion, dizziness and loss of consciousness. This is why it is
important that friends and relatives have daily contact -- and not
just telephone contact -- with an elderly person who lives alone.
What about
children? Can they get sick from the heat?
Yes. Young children, particularly
infants, are extremely sensitive to heat and can easily become
dehydrated (lose more body fluids than usual) from high air
temperatures. To help avoid dehydration during extremely hot
weather, adults should make sure children drink plenty of fluids.
Young children should be kept out of direct sunlight.
What are some
good tips on how to avoid heat-related problems?
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Use a buddy system. If you are working in the
heat, check on coworkers and have someone else do the same
for you. If you are at home and are 65 years of age or older
or have a chronic health problem, ask a friend, relative or
neighbor check on you at least twice a day, even if you have
air conditioning. If you know someone who is 65 years of age
or older or who has a chronic health problem, check on them
at least twice a day.
Limit outdoor activities. Try to plan activities
for the coolest times of the day -- before noon and in the
evening. When physically active, rest frequently in the
shade.
Drink plenty of fluids. During hot weather, you
will need to drink more liquid than your thirst indicates.
Even if you remain indoors and limit your activity, your
body still needs to replace lost fluids, salt and minerals.
Make an extra effort to drink a minimum of six to eight 8
oz. glasses of cool fluids daily. During heavy exercise in a
hot environment, drink two to four glasses of cool fluids
each hour. Parents should be sure young children get
sufficient fluids. If you are on a special fluid-restricted
diet or if you take diuretics, ask your physician about
fluid intake during hot weather.
Protect your body. Wear as little clothing as
possible when indoors, and wear light colored, loose fitting
clothing outdoors. When spending time outdoors, avoid direct
sunlight, wear a hat and use a sunscreen with a sun
protection factor (SPF) greater than 15 to protect yourself
against sunburn.
Never leave children, the elderly or pets in a
parked car, not even for just a few minutes. The air
temperature inside a car rises rapidly during hot weather
and can lead to brain damage or death.
A final reminder -- take care of your pets. In
many ways, dogs and cats react to hot weather as humans do.
Offer pets extra water and be sure to place the water dish
in a shaded area if outdoors. Make sure pets have a
protected place where they can get away from the sun.
[Text copied from
Illinois Department of Public Health] |
