Warm temperatures can be harmful to people's health. Heat-related illness is the result of your body gaining heat faster than it can cool itself down. Heat-related illnesses can usually be prevented.
Heat-related illnesses include heat cramps, heat rash, heat edema (swelling), heat syncope (fainting), heat exhaustion and heat stroke (sunstroke). Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency.
Heat-related illness occurs when your body is unable to cool itself down by transferring the heat to the environment (sweating). This may occur in extremely hot environments or in cases of overexposure to heat.
Exposure to hot environments can lead to rapid increases in body temperature. Examples of such environments include the interior of a car or a tent on a hot day, a hot tub or sauna, and heat from direct exposure to sunlight in the outdoors.
Heat-related illnesses can also occur in certain workplaces where a hot environment may be created by equipment or restricted spaces, including: bakeries, catering kitchens, laundries, boiler rooms, foundries and smelting operations, mines, and certain manufacturing plants.
Those at highest risk for heat-related illness include the very young (infants and children up to 4 years of age), and the elderly (people 65 years of age or older). At times, young, healthy people are also at risk.
Infants and children up to four years of age are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures. They must rely on adults to make sure their environments are comfortable and provide them with enough liquids. People 65 years of age or older may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to change in temperature. Young, healthy individuals are at increased risk of heat-related illness when they engage in strenuous physical activity in a hot environment.
Other factors that may increase the risk of heat-related illness include:
dehydration
fever
increased body mass
too much alcohol or caffeine
lack of sleep
eating disorders
chronic illnesses such as uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, hyperthyroidism and cystic fibrosis
There are a number of ways to reduce the risk of having a heat-related illness.
These include:
NEVER leave children alone in a parked car. Temperatures
can rise to 51.7 C (125 F) within 20 minutes in an enclosed vehicle when the
outside temperature is 33.9 C (93 F). Leaving the car windows slightly open
or "cracked" will not keep the inside of the vehicle
at a safe temperature.
Drink plenty of fluids and don't wait until you are thirsty to drink. Talk to your doctor if you are on water pills or currently limiting your fluid intake.
Avoid fluids that contain alcohol, caffeine and large amounts of sugar as these liquids may actually cause you to lose more body fluid.
Avoid sunburn - use sunscreen with SPF 15 or more.
To keep cool on hot days, stay indoors in air-conditioned facilities or take a cool bath or shower. At temperatures above 30 C, fans are not as effective at preventing heat-related illness.
Limit daytime outdoor activity to early morning and late afternoon.
Avoid tiring work or exercise in hot, humid environments. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of non-alcoholic fluids each hour.
If you have to stand in a hot environment, flex your leg muscles regularly and try to rest often in shady areas.
Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and a brimmed hat, or use an umbrella for shade.
Check regularly on older people, and those who are unable to leave their homes, for signs of heat-related illness.
When recognized early, most heat-related illnesses, such as mild heat exhaustion (fatigue, weakness, headache, dizziness, nausea, and pale, cool, moist skin) can be treated at home. Mild heat exhaustion does not cause changes in mental alertness. Home treatment for mild heat exhaustion may include:
move to a cooler environment
rest
drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic fluids
take a cool shower or bath
wear lightweight clothing.
If your symptoms persist longer than an hour, change, worsen, or cause you concern, contact a health care professional.
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