Keep Your Cool! National Heatstroke Awareness Month

July 2021

You might think we are referring to being quick to anger or reactionary to a tense situation. As much as we love metaphors or turns of phrases, this time we literally mean Keep Your Cool.

July is National Heatstroke Awareness Month! Summer provides us with ample opportunities for outdoor activities, but it also brings risk in the form of sickness and fatalities.

HEAT STRESS is when the body’s cooling mechanism is weakened and can affect its ability to function, causing damage to the brain and major organs. Heat stress symptoms can be minor but also life-threatening such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

HEAT CRAMPS typically occur after intense exertion in high heat and cause thirst, sweating, fatigue, and painful cramps in the arms, legs, or abdomen.

HEAT EXHAUSTION is a result of excessive loss of salt and water. Weakness, headache, thirst, vomiting, cramps, and dizziness are the symptoms but if treated promptly, those symptoms typically last less than 60 minutes with complete recovery in 24 to 48 hours.

HEATSTROKE occurs when the body LOSES the ability to sweat and cool down. It is a life-threatening condition and needs immediate medical attention. Symptoms include hot and dry skin, high fever, rapid heart rate, confusion, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, seizures, and unconsciousness. Without prompt care to these symptoms, heatstroke can cause damage to the brain and internal organs, and result in death.

Scary, right? How often have we experienced even the slightest of these symptoms and felt absolutely wiped out?

As with many things, the young and elderly are at high risk, as are those participating in sports. We have all heard the traumatic and sad reports of babies left in vehicles or a football player becoming overheated during a summer practice.

This is preventable on every level. Dress light with loose fitting and sun-protective clothing and wear a hat or loose cotton bandana to help regulate your body heat.

STAY HYDRATED. Drink plenty of water and consume foods with high water content such as watermelon, cucumbers, cantaloupe, etc.

Don’t do your “Rocky” training in the middle of the day. Early morning and early evening are the best time for outdoor exercise. If you begin to overheat, stop, move to a shaded area, apply ice or a cool cloth to the back of your neck and drink water or a sports beverage.

Also, be sure to check on your elderly neighbors and pets who may be left outside for an extended period. And please, please, be careful in hot cars. Always check the rear seat before you lock your car and walk away. Create a reminder of some kind, if necessary, as a “buddy” system for yourself.

So, this means being prepared and staying informed, right? Well, that’s the goal of the EWC. Just as we offer support for your soul, mind, and heart, your physical wellbeing is just as important to us.

Stay hydrated and stay cool!

Be Well …

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