Beware of heat-related illnesses

By Teresa Carr

Adams County Senior Council

Administrative Assistant

From The CDC-The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – Heat Related Illnesses

Heat Stroke - Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment.

Symptoms of heat stroke include:

· Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech

· Loss of consciousness (coma)

· Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating

· Seizures

· Very high body temperature

· Fatal if treatment delayed

First Aid - Take the following steps to treat a worker with heat stroke:

· Call 911 for emergency medical care.

· Stay with the worker until emergency medical services arrive.

· Move the worker to a shaded, cool area and remove outer clothing.

· Cool the worker quickly, using the following methods:

· With a cold water or ice bath, if possible

· Wet the skin

· Place cold wet cloths on the skin

· Soak clothing with cool water

· Circulate the air around the worker to speed cooling.

· Place cold wet cloths or ice on the head, neck, armpits, and groin; or soak the clothing with cool water.

Heat Exhaustion - Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating. Heat exhaustion is most likely to affect:

· The elderly

· People with high blood pressure

· Those working in a hot environment

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

· Headache

· Nausea

· Dizziness

· Weakness

· Irritability

· Thirst

· Heavy sweating

· Elevated body temperature

· Decreased urine output

First Aid - Treat a worker who has heat exhaustion by doing the following:

· Take worker to a clinic or emergency room for medical evaluation and treatment.

· Call 911 if medical care is unavailable.

· Have someone stay with the worker until help arrives.

· Remove the worker from the hot area and give liquids to drink.

· Remove unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks.

· Cool the worker with cold compresses or have the worker wash their head, face, and neck with cold water.

· Encourage frequent sips of cool water. To read the entire article, go to: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatrelillness.html#print

Just A Thought: “Aging has a wonderful beauty, and we should have respect for that.” ~Eartha Kitt