Heat cramps to heat stroke: Understand the difference.
Although there haven’t been too many days with summer-like temperatures this year, the dog days of summer are quickly approaching. Heat and humidity often accompany the days in late July and into August. During this time it is important to understand the different heat-related health concerns and know when it becomes an emergency.
People of all ages are at risk for heat-related conditions, but the most vulnerable are infants to age 4 years old, and adults over 65. People with certain pre-existing conditions and those who are overweight are also at an increased risk for heat-related illnesses and emergencies. Pregnant women and people who work in outdoor professions also have an increased risk of experiencing a heat-related emergency. While these conditions are preventable, heat emergencies account for approximately 702 deaths a year.
When it comes to heat illness there are several to be concerned about. Heat rash, sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. While heat rash and sunburn are bothersome, these typically do not require medical attention. Heat cramps and heat exhaustion may require medical attention if the symptoms do not resolve on their own in about 1 hour. Heat stroke is always a medical emergency and if someone is experiencing the symptoms, immediately call 911.
The CDC provides the following guidelines for heat-related illnesses.
Heat stroke; what to look for
High body temperature (103 degrees or higher)
Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
Fast, strong pulse
Headache
Dizziness
Nausea
Confusion
Losing consciousness (passing out)
What to do
Call 911 right away-heat stroke is a medical emergency Move the person to a cooler place
Help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath
Do not give the person anything to drink
Heat exhaustion
What to look for:
Heavy sweating
Cold, pale, and clammy skin
Fast, weak pulse
Nausea or vomiting
Muscle cramps
Tiredness or weakness
Dizziness
Headache
Fainting (passing out)
What to do:
Move to a cool place
Loosen your clothes
Put cool, wet cloths on your body or take a cool bath
Sip water
Get medical help right away if:
You are throwing up
Your symptoms get worse
Your symptoms last longer than 1 hour
Heat cramps
What to look for:
Heavy sweating during intense exercise
Muscle pain or spasms
What to do:
Stop physical activity and move to a cool place
Drink water or a sports drink
Wait for cramps to go away before you do any more physical activity
Get medical help right away if you have cramps last longer than one hour, you’re on a low-sodium diet or if you have heart problems.
Sunburn
What to look for:
Painful, red, and warm skin
Blisters on the skin
What to do:
Stay out of the sun until your sunburn heals
Put cool cloths on sunburned areas or take a cool bath
Put moisturizing lotion on sunburned areas
Do not break blisters
Heat Rash
What to look for
Red clusters of small blisters that look like pimples on the skin (usually on the neck, chest, groin, or in elbow creases)
What to do:
Stay in a cool, dry place
Keep the rash dry
Use powder (like baby powder) to soothe the rash
If someone is experiencing symptoms of heat stroke, or has heat exhaustion that has not improved, call 911 and stay with the person until help arrives. If the person becomes unconscious and stops breathing, start CPR until help arrives. For more information on heat-related emergencies visit https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.html.
If you have a sunburn, heat rash or heat cramps that haven’t improved, it is acceptable to be seen by a primary care provider or at urgent care. University Hospitals Samaritan Urgent Care is located at 663 E. Main St., Ashland, or you can be seen at University Hospitals Samaritan Richland Urgent Care at 1033 Ashland Road in Mansfield.
Christina Vanderpool is the community outreach and communications and development specialist at University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center in Ashland.
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Tips to avoid heat-related conditions this summer
