Preventing Heat Injury

When sustained heat waves hit a region, heat related injury and health ramifications could be serious, including sunstroke and even major organ damage due to heat. According to the Center for Disease Control, extreme heat is blamed for 700 deaths each year in the U.S.

They tend to happen in small epidemics when we are confronted with heat waves which we experience during the summer. Some experts predict this may be more commonplace due to overall global climate changes.

Heat exhaustion is a relatively common reaction to severe heat and includes symptoms such as dizziness, headache and fainting. If left untreated, it can progress to Heatstroke.

When severe, it requires medical attention. The severe form manifests when someone can no longer cool their body after profuse sweating, leading to dry skin, a body temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, heat rash, muscle cramps, confusion and sometimes unconsciousness. Profoundly dangerous effects to the central nervous system and circulation can happen quickly when warning signs are ignored.

Humans cope with heat by expelling some heat through their breath and perspiring. The evaporation of moisture off the surface of our skin dissipates the internal heat. High humidity makes this very difficult. The cooling effect is seriously impaired.

The published Heat Index estimates how it feels and how much the humidity can increase the effect of a given temperature, which can be 15 degrees or more when humidity is high.

Who is affected most? Elderly, the very young, people with chronic illness are most vulnerable. Some medications may make people more sensitive to the heat (diuretics, beta blockers and mental health meds.

Discuss your concerns with your physician to see if any special precautions are recommended. But even healthy people who have to work or exercise in extreme heat are subject to dangerous effects.

The single most helpful thing you can do in extreme heat is spending several hours a day in air conditioning. If you do not have air conditioning, plan to spend time with someone who does. Many public buildings are available that have climate control such as libraries, schools, shopping malls, coffee shops. Fans do help with the evaporation/cooling process.

Even healthy well-conditioned athletes are vulnerable to dangerous effects of heat. If you have to work outside you need a plan. Wear loose fitting, lightweight, light colored clothing. Use a wide brimmed hat to protect the head and face. Drink plenty of fluids.

Water is the best. Alcohol and caffeinated beverages should be avoided as they can make things worse. Eat light food in smaller amounts but more often. Take frequent breaks to get out of the direct sun and catch up on fluids. A buddy system is a great idea. If you work alone you may not notice the beginning effects that can cloud your judgment.

Partners can help keep an eye on each other. A buddy system is also a great idea for elderly or those who live alone and may need assistance. Water consumption is top of the list. Two liters a day is a good start for a normal healthy person. In extreme heat the need goes up dramatically. Use of salt tablets is discouraged and potentially dangerous. Some sports drinks without caffeine can be suitable but should not be the sole source of fluid replacement. Water is the best.

Never leave children or pets in a closed vehicle. Temperatures can increase rapidly to 140 degrees, which is seriously dangerous after only a few minutes.

With only a small bit of planning and common sense you can survive the heat wave comfortably and safely without becoming a statistic.

Exertional Heat Illnesses
by: Lawrence Armstrong
publisher: Human Kinetics, published: 2003-04-02
ASIN: 0736037713
EAN: 9780736037716
sales rank: 1172011
price: $41.88 (new), $41.88 (used)

Learn how to identify, treat, and prevent exertional heat illnesses and ensure your sporting events are safe. Exertional Heat Illnesses provides practitioners with all the information they need in one practical reference.

Renowned exercise researcher Lawrence Armstrong, PhD, and a team of eight colleagues examine the heat illnesses most common in athletes, recreation enthusiasts, and laborers.

The only book to focus exclusively on heat-related illnesses, Exertional Heat Illnesses is full of practical advice for professionals in a variety of medical, academic, and commercial settings. Athletic trainers, physicians, nurses, and emergency medical technicians will find effective treatment options for all exertional heat illnesses. Coaches, athletes, industrial supervisors, and military leaders will learn the causes of heat-related illnesses and ways to prevent them. Fitness, conditioning, and training specialists will gain useful information for their clients and students. Instructors and students interested in environmental exercise physiology will also find Exertional Heat Illnesses to be a valuable textbook for courses that require advanced study.

This resource is aligned with the current accepted standards and recommendations of two prominent health and sports medicine organizations—the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA).

The reference contains the following:

-A handy breakdown of how the body reacts to different heat illnesses

-Case reports detailing how other practitioners respond in real-life situations

-Abstracts of four important position stands from the ACSM and NATA and the Web sites at which you can access them
With this reference, you’ll have the tools to help athletes maintain optimal health and performance during and after exercise, and you’ll have the knowledge to treat exertional heat illnesses promptly and properly should they occur.

Extreme Heat: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety
by: Nicholas Dixon
publisher: Oceanroc Web Publishing, published: 2011-06-28
ASIN: B0058PIZPO

Prepare for hot weather before it happens – information to help individuals, communities, and businesses plan for and reduce the effects of extreme heat.

Heat kills by pushing the human body beyond its limits. In extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature.

Most heat disorders occur because the victim has been overexposed to heat or has over-exercised for his or her age and physical condition. Older adults, young children, and those who are sick or overweight are more likely to succumb to extreme heat.

Conditions that can induce heat-related illnesses include stagnant atmospheric conditions and poor air quality. Consequently, people living in urban areas may be at greater risk from the effects of a prolonged heat wave than those living in rural areas. Also, asphalt and concrete store heat longer and gradually release heat at night, which can produce higher nighttime temperatures known as the “urban heat island effect.”

Summer Safety Video to Prevent Heat Stress Injuries and Hea
www.safetyskills.com Online Safety Training to help businesses protect their workers from summertime heat. No obligation to purchase, assign our Basic Awareness courses to 100 or less free.

Preventing Heat Injury

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 1st, 2011 at 10:28 AM and is filed under Health issues. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.