Summer Safety: Heat Emergencies

Aug 01, 2023

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Submitted by Teresa Sherrard, RN, William Newton Hospital Director of Occupational Health Services

Summer is in full swing and extreme heat events do occur in Kansas. Multiple factors affect how temperature affects us, such as sun exposure, humidity, activity level, fluid intake, or being confined or trapped in a place that heats up like a car or a house without air conditioning or fans. All three stages of heat emergency are serious. Everyone should be able to spot symptoms of a heat emergency because getting treatment in the early stages of a heat incident will help prevent it from progressing to a more serious condition. Heat stroke, for example, can be fatal or cause lifelong complications.

The best way to prevent heat-related illnesses is to stay hydrated. Proper hydration means getting enough water before, during, and after exercise, whether it’s recreational or work. The American Council on Exercise recommends these guidelines before, during, and after a workout:

• Drink 17-20 ounces two to three hours before your exercise.
• Drink 8 ounces 20-30 minutes before you exercise.
• Drink 7-10 ounces every 10-20 minutes during exercise.
• Drink 8 ounces within 30 minutes after exercise.

If you drink Gatorade or other sports drinks, I suggest drinking twice as much water as the sports drink. So, if you drink 8 ounces of a sports drink, you should drink 16 ounces of water before drinking any more sports drink as too much can be harmful to you.

Stages of a Heat Emergency

In a heat emergency, stages include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

Heat cramps are the first stage and usually happen when someone has been physically active in the heat. Heat cramps can also occur if someone is not active but still in the heat. Symptoms include muscle pain and tightness. Persons who are especially susceptible are the elderly, small children, overweight people, and those drinking alcohol.

Heat exhaustion symptoms include muscle cramps, dizziness, mild confusion, fast heart rate or breathing, headache, irritability, extreme thirst, nausea or vomiting, pale skin, heavy sweating, or fainting.

Heat stroke is the most dangerous form of heat emergencies. It may have all the symptoms of heat exhaustion as well as irrational behavior or hallucinations, confusion, rapid and shallow breathing, rapid and weak pulse, seizures, loss of consciousness, and dry hot skin. Patients suffering from heat stroke will not be sweating.

A good way to prevent heat emergencies is to hydrate and stay hydrated. Drink fluids before starting any activity in the sun and heat or a hot environment.

Treating Heat Emergency

Initial treatment of all three heat emergencies starts with:

1. Move to a cooler area, out of direct sunlight.
2. Give cool water or sports drinks every 15 minutes. Don’t drink too quickly.
3. Loosen clothing.
4. Apply cool, wet towels to the face, neck, chest, and limbs.
5. Fan the skin.
6. Remove sweaty clothing.
7. Only give fluids if the person is conscious and able to swallow.
8. Have the person checked in the emergency room as soon as possible. Complications include the possibility of brain swelling during heat stroke, which could lead to permanent damage.

For heat stroke, call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately. This is a life-threatening emergency.

Prevention of Heat Emergencies

1. Stay in the shade or in a ventilated, air-conditioned area during the hottest parts of the day.
2. Rest as often as possible.
3. Wear light-colored and loose clothing.
4. Drink water frequently.
5. Avoid alcohol.

If you need a fan for your home, contact Eagle Nest Inc, Angels Care Home Health, or Angels in the Attic.