Keeping cool.
You can take a number of precautions to prevent heat exhaustion and other heat related illnesses.
Heat exhaustion occurs when our body is unable to cool itself enough to maintain a health body temperature. Normally, the body cools itself by sweating, but sometimes sweating isn’t enough and body temperature keeps rising. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include the following: sweating, dizziness, weakness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and muscle cramps. If not treated soon as possible it could lead to death. Please take these precautions to heart.
Remember to always wear loose clothing and also light-colored clothing when in the heat. Excess dark and tight clothing holds in heat and doesn’t let your body cool properly. Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. Even a few hours in the air-conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Drink more fluids regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar, because these drinks can actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Even very cold drinks can cause you to have stomach cramps. When outside also try to stay in the shade as much as possible. Most importantly never leave anyone in a hot car. Some people are at greater risk of getting a heat related illness then others. For Example: Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure, infants/young children, and people 65 and older. These people need to be watched and cared for more carefully when in the heat.
When I go outside into the heat I always bring a cool beverage. I also try to stick around in places where there’s shade. When I have to mow the yard or do yard work in the sun, I may not have shade but I bring a cold beverage to drink during my hot outside events. Please take these precautions to heart to protect yourself from a heat related illness.
Story and Photos by Molly Clegg, HS Intern
