Ellen Campbell -Grizzle
THE HEAT hits you these days as you step outside. People are suffering from heat-related illness because their bodies are unable to compensate and properly cool them down. Deaths have been reported in the United States. Usually, the body cools itself by sweating but there are times when sweating is not adequate and the body temperature will rise. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs.
Several factors reduce the body's ability to cool itself during extremely hot weather. When the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly. Other risks include age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, poor circulation, sunburn, alcohol use and some medicines. The young and the elderly are at greatest risk.
PROTECTION
Protect your health when temperatures are extremely high, keep cool and follow these useful tips:
Drink plenty of fluids - During hot weather, increase your fluid intake. However, if your doctor has limited your fluid intake, ask how much water you should drink. Avoid liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, large amounts of sugar that cause you to lose fluids. Avoid very cold drinks as they can cause stomach cramps
Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high protein foods that increase metabolic heat.
Replace salt and minerals - Heavy sweating depletes salt and minerals from the body. Some sports beverages replace salt and minerals. If you are on salt restriction, ask your pharmacist to make a recommendation.
Wear appropriate clothing such as light-weight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing. Wear a hat and use an umbrella.
Limit outdoor activities to morning and evening hours.
Pace yourself. Start slowly and then pick up the pace. If you find yourself gasping for breath and your heart pounding, stop all activity; get into a cool area and rest.
Stay cool while you are indoors. Use your oven and stove less. Take a shower to cool off. Air conditioners are very useful and fans will work with temperatures up to the high 90s. Beyond this, fans will not prevent heat-related illness.
It is important to monitor the elderly and watch for signs of heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to exertion. These give early warning signs that the body is having problem with the heat. Heat stroke occurs when the body cannot regulate its temperature. It is a life-threatening situation. Warning signs include body temperature over 103 degrees Fahrenheit, red, hot dry skin (no sweating), strong, rapid pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion that can lead to unconsciousness.
Heat exhaustion is the body's reaction to salt and water loss after several days of exposure to high temperature. Look for heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, nausea and fainting. Cooling measures such as a cool shower or bath are very effective first aid responses. In the case of the elderly or infants, also seek medical assistance.
Remember, you can avoid discomfort by avoiding sunburn and treating heat rashes. Be a good neighbour to the elderly. They do not respond well to sudden changes in temperature and are likely to be taking medication that impairs the body's ability to regulate temperature or that inhibit perspiration. High temperatures can wreak havoc on your health. Use your common sense and stay healthy in the warm weather.
Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, president, Caribbean Association of Pharmacists, director, Information & Research, National Council on Drug Abuse.
