Page 23 - Florida Sentinel 7-23-21

Health
When the weather’s hot, your chances of getting a heat- related illness go up. That’s be- cause high heat and humidity make it harder to cool off through sweating. And without fast treatment this can lead to serious health problems.
Heat-related illnesses are often grouped together as hy- perthermia. Hyperthermia refers to any condition where your body is unable to properly maintain its temperature and handle heat.
Anyone can get a heat ill- ness, but the risk is higher for: - Babies and young chil-
dren
- Seniors 65 and older - Overweight people
- People who exercise or work outdoors
- People who have a condi- tion like heart disease or high blood pressure
- People who take certain meds, like drugs for depression or insomnia
Here are some common heat-related illnesses and ways to avoid them.
HEAT STROKE
This is the most serious heat-related illness. It happens when your core temperature increases fast due to high heat and humidity.
Symptoms include:
– Confusion or foggy men-
tal state
– Slurred speech
– Loss of consciousness
(coma)
– Hot, dry skin or lots of
sweating
– Seizure
– Very high body tempera- ture
Act fast and follow these steps if you think someone’s having a heat stroke:
– Call 911.
– Stay with the person until help arrives.
– Move them to cool, shaded area or indoors with air conditioning or a fan.
– Take off their outer clothes.
– If possible, cool them with cold water or an ice bath. – Place ice or cold, wet
cloths against a few key body parts: their groin, armpits, neck, and head.
HEAT EXHAUSTION
This can happen when you
spend a long time in high temps and don’t get enough water or other hydrating drinks.
Symptoms include:
– Headache
– Nausea
– Dizziness
– Weakness
– Feeling irritable – Thirst
– Lots of sweating
– Increased body tempera- ture
– Peeing less than usual
Follow these first-aid steps if you think someone has heat exhaustion:
– Take them to a clinic or emergency room or call 911.
– Stay with them until they get medical care.
– Take them out of the heat.
– Cool their head, face, and neck with cold water. Use cold compresses or, if available, a sink or bath.
– Encourage them to sip cool water often.
FRIDAY, JULY 23, 2021 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 11-B