Feelin’ Hot, Hot, Hot

by Barbara Brody | Comments

It's been steamy in NY lately, and the heat and humidity can make me feel kind of lousy. Fortunately, most of my time is spent in air conditioning, but on a really hot day I find myself thinking about construction workers, kids at summer camp, and basically anyone else who's outdoors all day. It's one thing to be uncomfortable—but are these folks in danger of getting heat stroke?
It's possible. The elderly are the most susceptible, but anyone can get it, and the risk goes up as the mercury rises. Heat stroke isn't something to mess around with; it can cause you to have a seizure, fall into a coma, or even die. Scary, yes, but also preventable: If you have to spend lots of time outside when it's super-hot (above 90 degrees), make sure you take frequent breaks in the shade (or inside, in air conditioning) and drink plenty of water. You should also be on the lookout for these warning signs from the Pennsylvania Medical Society:
Signs of heat exhaustion (which can lead to heat stroke if you don't get out of the sun and cool down fast!):
â€¢Pale skin
â€¢Fatigue, weakness
â€¢Dizzy or nauseous
â€¢Sweating profusely
â€¢Rapid pulse
â€¢Fast, shallow breathing
â€¢Muscle weakness or cramps
Signs of heat stroke (call 911!)
â€¢Skin that feels hot and dry, but not sweaty
â€¢Confusion or loss of consciousness
â€¢Throbbing headache
â€¢Frequent vomiting
â€¢Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
Stay cool!
—Barbara Brody, Health Editor