30 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • AUGUST 2020
HEATSTROKE
AVOIDING SUMMER’S WRATH
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HRH20-2009-Schneps Media Ad-BP-Eng-FINAL.indd 1 7/13/20 1:26 PM
PRESS HEALTH
Warm summer air and sunshine can be
hard to resist, even when temperatures
rise to potentially dangerous levels.
Sunburn may be the first thing that
comes to mind when people think of
spending too much time soaking up
summer sun. But while sunburn is a
significant health problem that can
increase a person’s risk for skin cancer,
it poses a less immediate threat
than heatstroke, a well-known yet
often misunderstood condition.
WHAT IS HEATSTROKE?
Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that
heatstroke is a life-threatening
emergency and the most severe form
of heat illness that results from long,
extreme exposure to the sun. During
this exposure, a person’s built-in
cooling system may fail to produce
enough sweat to lower his or her body
temperature, putting his or her life at
risk as a result. Heatstroke develops
rapidly and requires immediate medical
treatment. If not treated immediately,
it can prove fatal.
WHO’S AT RISK?
The elderly, infants, people whose
occupations require them to work
outdoors, and the mentally ill are
among the people with an especially
high risk of heatstroke. Obesity
and poor circulation also increase a
person’s risk of suffering heatstroke.
Alcohol and certain types of medications
also can make people more at
risk for heatstroke.
SPOTTING SYMPTOMS
One person may experience heatstroke
differently than another.
In addition, because it develops so
rapidly, heatstroke can be hard to
identify before a person is in serious
danger. Johns Hopkins Medicine
notes that some of the more common
heatstroke symptoms include
headache, dizziness, disorientation,
agitation or confusion, sluggishness
or fatigue, seizure, hot, dry skin that
is flushed but not sweaty, high body
temperature, loss of consciousness,
rapid heartbeat, and hallucinations.
IS IT PREVENTABLE?
The simplest way to prevent heatstroke
is to avoid spending time
outdoors in the sun on hot days. If
you must go outdoors, do so when
temperatures are mild and the sun
is low, such as in the early morning
or evening. In addition to being wise
about when you spend time in the sun,
you can do the following to prevent
heatstroke.
Drink plenty of fluids, avoid caffeinated
beverages and alcohol.
Wear lightweight, tightly woven, and
loose-fitting clothing in light colors.
Wear a hat and sunglasses, use an
umbrella on especially hot days.
Take frequent drinks during outdoor
activities and mist yourself with a
spray bottle.
Heatstroke is a serious threat on hot
summer days. Because the condition
can escalate rapidly, people must
be especially cautious and mindful
of their bodies when spending time
outdoors in the summer.
- Metro Creative Connection
Heat waves can be a health risk.
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