How to spot heat-related illnesses and what to do

Summer is still in full swing. And if you among those people who spend a lot of time outdoors, then you could be at risk of heat stress caused by extreme heat. Here are some tips to spot signs of heat stress.

What is heat stress? People suffer from heat stress when their bodies are unable to compensate for the heat and properly cool themselves. The body normally cools itself by sweating, but in extreme heat conditions, sweating sometimes isn’t enough. When this happens, the body’s temperature rises rapidly, which may damage the brain or other vital organs. There are a number of warning signs for heat exhaustion and they vary from person to person, but symptoms to look out for include: Heavy sweating Muscle cramps Paleness Tiredness Weakness Dizziness Headache Nausea Vomiting Fainting Cool and moist skin Fast and shallow breathing

What to do if you suspect someone has heat exhaustion Get the person to a cooler or shady area or somewhere they can lie down Try to cool the person down quickly — loosen clothing, run a bath with cool water or use a cool shower. Apply cool sponges or towels, or if the humidity is low, wrap the person in a cool, wet sheet and fan them Sip water and avoid alcohol Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to about 101°-102° F / 38.3°-38.8° C. Symptoms may vary, but look out for the following: Extremely high body temperature (above 103°F) Red, hot, and dry skin with no sweating A rapid, strong pulse Throbbing headache Dizziness Nausea A confused mental state Slurred speech Loss of consciousness or lapsing into a coma Seizures

PHOTO: ISTOCK