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The Facts on Heat
What is heat illness?
Heat illness can range from mild heat exhaustion to the most severe
form, heat stroke. Several people die from heat related causes every
year. Heat stroke is a dysfunction of the central nervous system that
makes the body stop sweating and organs stop working. Getting treatment
quickly for heat stroke is imperative.
What are the causes?
Heat illness is caused by excessive heat, which brings on
dehydration. Most heat related deaths occur in the summer months, with a
higher number of deaths occurring during the month of June.
Who gets heat illness?
Children, the elderly and people who work or exercise outdoors are
the most at risk for heat illnesses. Also, people who have been drinking
alcohol are 15 times more vulnerable to heat stroke than those who have
not because alcohol causes increased dehydration. Males tend to die of
heat-related causes more than females and these deaths occur across all
ages. Certain diseases and/or medications can also make a person more
prone to heat illness.
What are the symptoms?
Before a heat stroke, patients will experience heat exhaustion.
Symptoms include dizziness, weakness, malaise, fatigue and nausea. There
also are many minor conditions that are warning signs your body is too
hot and you could be on your way to serious illness. Some symptoms to
watch for include dehydration; a rash called prickly heat; edema,
swelling, typically, of the fingers and hands; cramps and fainting.
What is the treatment?
When these occur, you should drink plenty of water, rest in a cool
place, and seek treatment if symptoms do not subside.
What about pets?
For most animals with fur, you can test for dehydration by pulling
the skin up on the center of their backs. If the skin snaps down slowly,
that is a sign of dehydration. A dry nose, white gums and ears, and
droopy eyes are also signals.
How can heat sickness be prevented?
The best ways to beat the heat are to avoid going outside and drink
plenty of fluids.
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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other
healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health
condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you
should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your
condition once it has been diagnosed.
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Dubai Health & News
A publication of
ArabMedicare.com
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