With summer lasting only three months, it is tempting to spend our entire day outside. Yet the longer you spend in the heat, the more serious your body’s effects can be.
Increased body temperature can cause dehydration, tiredness, headache, dizziness, nausea, cramps and a weak pulse.
What Causes Heat Illness?
Heat illness occurs when the body is not able to regulate or control its temperature. Heavy sweating disturbs the body’s healthy salt-water balance, which causes the symptoms of heat illness.
Most heat illness cases happen when someone is working or engaging in an activity outside when the temperature and humidity are both high. Heat illness includes heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash.
Because sweat cannot evaporate from the skin or work with the body’s natural cooling system, body temperature rises. Heat illness can lead to severe complications, even death. If detected and treated early, however, most pressing problems can be avoided.
Risk Factors for Heat Illness:
- Dehydration — thirst or parchedness.
- Certain prescription medicines like tranquilizers, water pills, Parkinson’s disease medications and drugs used to treat mental illness.
- Not having enough experience working in heat, outdoors or doing heavy work.
- Alcohol use or illegal drug use.
- Wearing or using heavy equipment and clothing (sports padding and helmets; police/fire and industrial protective equipment and clothing).
- Pre-existing conditions like heart problems or diabetes, including high blood pressure or pregnancy.
- Age: younger than four or older than 65.
Certain industries pose a high risk for heat illness, including construction, transportation and utilities. Farming, maintenance and landscaping industry are also of higher risk.
How to Prevent Heat-related Illness:
- If you decide to exercise in hot weather, make sure you acclimatize to the heat for about a week before beginning any serious exercise. It allows your body to adapt to the heat gradually.
- Stay hydrated with water and diluted electrolyte drinks. When the body becomes dehydrated, it loses its ability. Keep an additional bottle of water in your backpack, car, or bike.
- Light, loose clothing is recommended. These types of garments help sweat evaporate. Invest in clothes that wick moisture from your skin to the clothing’s outer layer to evaporate more efficiently.
- Wear sunscreen to prevent sunburn, which can limit the skin’s ability to cool itself. Wear a hat with a brim.
- Refrain from drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages before exercise because they increase the rate of dehydration.
Madison Window Cleaning wants you to enjoy the rest of your summer. Be proactive and follow these tips so you can lead a healthy lifestyle outdoors!