With July 4th just around the corner, summer's really starting to heat up for a lot of us. If you plan on spending a lot of time outside this weekend, it's good to keep an eye out for heat-related illness. The New York Times describes what to watch out for.
As with most things like this, prevention of heat-related illnesses is mostly about preparation. Drink a lot of water, eat salted foods, and if you're exercising in the heat, consider a sports drink diluted with water. If you are out working in your garden, playing in the sun, or whatever else, just practice a few simple things:
[W]ear light-colored, breathable clothing; schedule heavy work for the coolest parts of the day; take frequent breaks in the shade or a cool area; drink water often; and avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol or lots of sugar.
As for the effects, The Times notes that sports players might be especially prone to heat-related illness, but really this applies to anyone:
Any player who becomes confused, disoriented or unsteady should be removed immediately from practice to a cooler environment, fanned, rehydrated and doused with or immersed in cool water.
Remove the athlete's clothing or soak it with water, which conducts heat away from the body much more effectively than air.
If the player's core temperature (the most accurate measurement is rectal) rises to 104 degrees or higher, it's considered a medical emergency.
It seems simple enough, but when you're enjoying the sunshine it's easy to miss the signs sometimes. OSHA has a full list of all the symptoms that's good to brush up on as well.
Keeping Your Cool | The New York Times
Photo by Michael Le Roi .
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