Tips on how to avoid heat related illnesses   Frank Barnhill M.D.
 

Drink lots of water on hot days.

Listen to the weatherman and avoid being outside or in direct sun at the hottest times of the day.

If you don’t have air conditioning, use fans to cool and move air to help with perspiration evaporation or go to an air-conditioned store or mall during the hottest parts of the day.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Both alter the way your body provides blood flow to the skin allowing sweating and evaporation of heat.

Wear light colored, lightweight clothing such as cotton when exposed to excessively hot temperatures or when you plan to be outdoors for more than 30 minutes.

Talk to your doctor about your medications and what you should do about water, salt containing sports drinks and exercise or exertion in heat.

When standing in hot conditions for long periods, such as watching sports events or a parade, avoid sudden exertion, drink water as you watch, wear a hat and if you get too hot, spray your skin with water, loosen clothing or go inside to cooler temperatures.

Wet clothing does not provide as much heat loss as wet skin from which water may evaporate!

Know your work-play heat related limits. Plan for rest and cool off times when working in the yard or during exercise and recreation.

Go slowly at whatever you plan to do in hot environments. Acclimation occurs as a person slowly gets used to being in the heat.

We hope these tips help you avoid the pain and suffering of a heat stroke.

For more information, please visit www.drhuggiebear.com  and see our articles Heat stroke and other heat related illnesses and Avoiding heat stroke at work.

Dr. Frank

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