High temperatures, humidity and/or prolonged heat exposure can cause your body to enter a dangerous condition know as heatstroke.
The risk of heatstroke increases during the summer, especially in vacation destination like ours where people spend more time outside in the heat and humidity than they normally do at home. Young children, older adults and people with certain health problems are at greater risk. If untreated, heatstroke can cause damage to your brain, heart, kidneys and muscles, and be life threatening.
Early Warning – Heat Exhaustion
The first signs of heatstroke are heat exhaustion, which include these symptoms:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Heavy sweating
- Lightheadedness
Unless your body is cooled down quickly during this early stage, the body could progress to heatstroke. Cool the body down by getting into a cool temperature indoors, drinking cool liquids and taking a cool bath.
Heatstroke Symptoms
Seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing any or all of these 10 main symptoms of heatstroke:
- High body temperature (104 F degrees or greater)
- Flushed skin
- Rapid breathing
- Headache
- Muscle cramps and weakness
- Lack of sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Unconsciousness
- Racing heart rate
Prevention
Heatstroke can occur while doing anything outside in hot weather including golfing, gardening or yard work, exercising, or simply sitting on the beach. But heatstroke is preventable.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
- Wear light colored and lightweight clothes
- Do strenuous activities in the early morning or evening
- Take extra precautions if you’re taking medication or are at greater risk for heatstroke
- Acclimate yourself slowly to the heat by spending a little time outside at a time until you get more conditioned to the heat
- NEVER leave anyone, especially children, in a parked car
