(CBS) During hot summer months, people can run into some serious heat-related health problems, especially children under four, people over 65, and those who are obese, already ill, or taking medications. And heat can be a problem indoors or outdoors.
As The Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay explains, prolonged exposure to heat and insufficient body fluid can result in heat exhaustion. Its symptoms can include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness headache and nausea or vomiting.
Heat exhaustion can affect the elderly, people with high blood pressure, and those who work outside. Outdoor workers may also be prone to heat rash from prolonged sweating, or heat cramps from too much exertion.
Heat can also lead to other, more serious problems.
Normally, our bodies can cool down by sweating, but in extreme heat, the body can lose its ability to regulate temperature. The sweating function fails, and body temperature rises rapidly, resulting in heat stroke. Heat stroke is a serious medical condition that can damage the brain and other organs, and even kill you.
Heat stroke symptoms can vary, but you want to watch out for red, hot and dry skin; rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and unconsciousness.
If you think someone might be suffering from heat stroke, call 911. And then cool them down any way you can until help arrives. Get them to the shade or an air conditioned area. Spray or sponge them with cold water, or immerse them in a tub of cold water if possible. If it's not too humid, you can wrap the victim in a wet sheet and fan him or her vigorously. You want to get the victim's body temperature to go down to 101 to 102 degrees.
To avoid heat-related illness, drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids, pace yourself when working outdoors, replace salts and minerals, wear lightweight clothing, seek air conditioning, and take cold showers.
Use common sense. Schedule your outdoor activities to avoid the hottest parts of the day, and use a buddy system if necessary to keep watch on those at high risk.
If you don't have air conditioning where you live, try to find a public place that does, such as a mall or library. Even just a few hours of air conditioning a day can reduce the risk of heat-related illness.
If you can't do that, use a spray bottle and a fan to help keep cool by spraying the water on your skin and letting the air from the fan evaporate it.
If you have to be out, drink plenty of water, wear light colored, lightweight, loose fitting clothing and also wear a hat and sunglasses.
Here are 10 tips to help you stay cool when the temperature soars.
1. Air conditioning
Air conditioning may be your weapon in the fight against heat. I have a window unit in my bedroom for sleeping. If air conditioning isn’t possible, a dehumidifier and fans can help. By removing some humidity and creating a current, the air will feel cooler. When all else fails, visit the mall, library or any place that has air conditioning. If prescribed by a physician, the cost of an air conditioner (maximum $1,000) can be claimed as a medical expense on your federal income tax form.
2. Keep the sun out
Keep the window shades drawn from at least 11:00 am until 2:00 pm. The mid-day sun can increase the heat in the house and make it difficult to cool down in the evening.
3. Sleep alone
It sounds lonely but it’ll be much cooler without the body heat that comes with a spouse, child, dog or even the family cat sharing your bed.
4. Wear cotton
Cotton takes perspiration away from the skin leaving you drier and more comfortable. Select light-coloured cotton clothes, nightwear and bedding. Cotton sheets not only absorb sweat, but permits your skin to breathe, making you more comfortable and less restless. Better sleep means more energy and better mobility.
5. Cool showers and baths
During the summer, there’s nothing more satisfying than a cool bath or shower. Even running cold water over my wrists (or another pulse point) for a few minutes cools me down. When I can’t sleep at night because of the heat, I fill a pan with cold water and soak my feet – it really helps to lower the body temperature!
6. Keep exercise moderate
Exercise is important but it’s tempting to skip it when it’s hot. Do exercise but keep it moderate. Don’t push yourself too hard and be sure to take a cool shower afterwards to bring your body temperature back down.
7. Try swimming
If possible, choose swimming as your exercise during the summer. Swimming works all the major muscle groups while helping to maintain a lower body temperature. It also helps with balance and mobility.
8. Seek shade
When you’re going to be outside, always sit in the shade. Even better, sit in the shade where there’s a breeze.
9. Wear a hat
The sun beating down on your head has a huge impact on your body temperature: always wear a hat when you’re out in the sun.
10. Try cooling clothing
A number of manufacturers now make cooling vests, hats, etc. Last summer my husband came home with cooling bandanas. They have gel crystals that retain cold when wet. You run it under cold water and tie it around your head. As long as it stays wet, it stays cool – neat!
