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July 2016
Health News from Your Duke Signature Care Physician
With the summer weather, the heat and humidity are with us. These ‘dog days’ of summer can lead to heat-related illnesses that includes sunburn, muscle cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat-related illness is a result of excessive heat exposure and the body’s inability to maintain its internal temperature through sweating. This situation can be compounded by dehydration. The spectrum of heat-related illness can vary.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are approximately 600 deaths per year from heat-related illness. Young children and the elderly are particularly at-risk. Conditions including hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and alcohol use also increase risk.
Helpful Tips to Remain Safe this Summer
- Heat cramps affect those who sweat excessively during prolonged exercise. Symptoms include spasm of the muscles, primarily leg muscles.
- Heat exhaustion can present as heavy excessive sweating, weakness, clammy skin, nausea, vomiting, headaches.
- Heat stroke symptoms include dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches, high body temperature (above 104 F) and hot dry skin. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and may result in death.
- Prevent these conditions by limiting sun exposure, avoiding alcohol, wearing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and staying hydrated. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink. If symptoms develop, move to a cooler location, sip water and apply cool wet cloths to cool your body temperature
Don’t let the extreme heat ruin your summer. Additional heat safety tips can be found on the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/warning.html Enjoy your summer and stay safe!
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