Chapter 20 – Extreme Heat

 

Heat waves can cause many deaths and injuries to adults and children. Most of the time heat related injuries are due to overexposure to heat or while doing a rigorous workout in a high temperature setting. Stay indoors to reduce the risk of a heat related injury and limit the length of time you are exposed to the sun.

 

The first thing to know is the symptoms of a heat related injury. One of the first things that may occur is heat cramp. This is where your muscles cramp up because you’ve worked them out too much in high heat. Another sign is if you feel lightheaded, dizzy, or sick. Those are symptoms of heat exhaustion.

 

If you start to notice any of these symptoms, you should immediately get indoors to cooler temperatures, and drink plenty of water. Your body may be dehydrated, and staying out in the sun can turn your mild injuries into heat stroke, which can result in brain damage or death.

 

Heat stroke occurs when your body stops regulating your temperature, and can no longer cool itself down. If you notice that someone has any of the symptoms of heat stroke such as behavioral changes, seizures, sickness, or unconsciousness, take them to the emergency room right away. The quicker that you respond to the emergency, the more likely the person will survive from this trauma.