Heat Related Illnesses

By: Meredith Stancik
By: Meredith Stancik

The weather is heating up, and when temperatures increase so does the risk of heat related illnesses. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are two of the leading injuries during summer months and both can have detrimental effects.

When it gets hot, doctors say your body works overtime.

"During the heat you lose nearly 1 quart of water an hour just to breath," Tom Powell with the St. Joseph Rehabilitation Center said.

And with temperatures in the 90's expected throughout the summer, it's going to be a battle of the heat both outside and inside.

"We can't go out in the heat and work for any length of time without running the risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke," Powell said.

Heat exhaustion is when a person experiences extreme fatigue, muscle aches, nausea, fever and weakness.
A person usually turns pale and their clothes are soaked with sweat.
Heat Stroke is the more dangerous of the two--when the body's temperature control system fails.

"Heat stroke is a true medical emergency the face is red, skin is dry, core temperature is as much as 110 degrees, and it fries the brain in a very short period of time," Powell said.

To prevent heat related illnesses doctors say to wear loose fitting light colored clothing, limit vigorous activity, drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol. Doctors say the key is to play it safe during the summer heat.

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