Holy moly it’s hot outside! If you can’t beat the heat, know how to keep yourself from getting sick. Heat related injuries are preventable as long as you pay attention to your bodies response to the heat.
Sweating is our bodies way to cool ourselves when we become dehydrated our body loses the fluids it uses to cool our body.
To beat the heat, you need to know what to look for.
People who start out dehydrated are already at risk before the environment becomes a factor.
Early signs of heat exhaustion is lack of sweating and cramping.
Moderate heat exhaustion comes with weakness, fatigue, dizziness and fainting.
Things to be aware of:
The weather-
Temperature and humidity. When humidity is above 60% it becomes increasingly difficult for sweat to evaporate.
You must give your body time to acclimate to the heat.
Clothing-
Dark clothing absorbs heat more than light clothes.
Helmets and pads make this more difficult.
The individual-
Children adjust more slowly than adults.
Individuals with high body fat also have a greater deal to cool themselves.
Sickle cell increases your risk of heat related illness.
What to do if you get any of these symptoms?
First things first, get into a cool area or shade to cool off.
Drink fluids- water and/or sports drink.
Apply ice or cool towels to your core.
If these things fail to help then get yourself to see someone. Call your primary care physician to direct you.