Don’t know if you’ve noticed … it’s hot outside. Recently it’s been VERY hot.
And depending on what you have to get done during the day, the heat can either be a minor annoyance or a big danger.
Danger No. 1 if you get too hot for your body to handle: heat exhaustion. Signs of heat exhaustion include extreme sweating (duh), cold skin (counterintuitive, but ok), dizziness, a headache, nausea, a racing heart and muscle cramps.
If you find yourself getting weird with some possible heat exhaustion, get into the air condition and take it easy for a while. Consider jumping into some cool water or using some cool compresses. Get out of any warm or tight clothing. You should be better within an hour—or you should get to the ER.
That’s because if heat exhaustion isn’t addressed or can’t be resolved, a heat stroke is next.
A temp of 104 IDs a heat stroke—but you likely will notice because you suddenly find yourself on the floor. “Heat syncope occurs when a person faints suddenly and loses consciousness because of low blood pressure,” according to the government of Alberta, Canada, trying to keep its citizens up off the sidewalks. “Heat causes the blood vessels to expand (dilate), so body fluid moves into the legs by gravity, which causes low blood pressure and may result in fainting.”
Fainting, of course, can compound your problems, depending on what your head hits on the way down. But as a sign of a heat stroke, it’s the signal to call 911. An untreated heat stroke can lead to seizures, organ damage, disability and death. Besides fainting and that high body temperature, look out for confusion and slurred speech, and instead of weirdly cool skin, the person’s skin will be hot and dry.
Elderly people and people with high blood pressure have an unfortunately easier time getting heat exhaustion and stroke, not to mention those working outside. You should also keep an eye on kids 4 and younger, overweight people and people on certain medications (read the fine print on those bottles!)
How to avoid heat exhaustion/stroke is pretty obvious—stay in the air condition (especially in the hottest parts of the day), don’t pile on the tight and heavy clothes, don’t get sunburned or sit in a parked car.
And you have to stay hydrated! Which isn’t easy when the street is a frying pan. “When working in the heat, drink one cup (eight ounces) of water every 15-20 minutes,” says the CDC. Add more to replace sweat, and spread it out—don’t drink it all at once.
Best way to tell if you’re dehydrated and thus more likely to get heat-related illness? Pee color, gross but true. The darker the yellow, the more water you need to chug.
We’re barely halfway through summer and there is a lot more to go. So try to enjoy the heat—not let it get the best of you.