Heat emergencies
You shouldn’t take heat emergencies lightly. These are health crises, and exposure to hot climates can cause serious, potentially life-endangering symptoms.
Heat emergencies are health crises caused by exposure to hot weather and sun. Heat emergencies have three stages: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. All three stages of heat emergency are serious.
If you live in hot climates or play sports in the summertime, you should know how to spot the symptoms of heat emergency. Getting treatment in the early stages of this condition can prevent heat stroke. Heat stroke can be fatal or cause lifelong complications.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Heat Emergency?
Heat Cramps
Heat cramps are the first stage of heat emergency. They usually happen when you’ve been physically active in the heat, but they can also occur if you haven’t been active.
Heat cramps are especially likely in the elderly or small children, overweight people, and people who have been drinking alcohol. Muscle pain and tightness are symptoms of heat cramps.
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
- muscle cramps
- dizziness
- mild confusion
- fast heart rate or breathing
- headache
- irritability
- extreme thirst
- nausea or vomiting
- pale skin
- heavy sweating
- fainting
Heatstroke
With heatstroke, all the symptoms of heat exhaustion may be present, plus:
- body temperature over 104°F
- irrational behavior or hallucinations
- confusion
- rapid, shallow breathing
- rapid, weak pulse
- seizures
- loss of consciousness
- dry skin
Sweating may be present in heatstroke. A person who is experiencing heatstroke might have very dry skin from dehydration.
Why Do Heat Emergencies Happen?
Heat emergencies usually occur when someone has exercised too much in hot weather. Being confined or trapped in a place that heats up, such as a car, is also a cause of heat emergencies.
Heat emergencies are more common in:
- people who are overweight
- people who have been drinking alcohol
- older adults
- children
These risk factors are due to difficulty regulating the internal body temperature.
Older Adults and Heat Emergencies
During a period of hot weather, older adults who live alone are at particular risk for heat emergencies.
A study of 739 heat-related deaths in Chicago in 1995 found that older adults who lived alone but made daily connections with their friends and families were much more likely to avoid a fatal heat emergency.
If your area is experiencing high temperatures, make sure to regularly check on older adults and offer to help them escape the heat if you can.
Children and Heat Emergencies
Children are especially vulnerable to heat emergencies. If they’re playing in hot weather, they might be having so much fun, they don’t recognize the warning signs. Check on children frequently and make sure they have plenty of water.
Children can also die from heat-related illnesses when they’re left in cars or other vehicles, such as school buses. Never leave a child alone in a car — even if you think it’s not hot enough for them to be harmed. Always check a bus or carpool to make sure no one is left behind.
How Can Heat Emergencies Be Prevented?
The best way to avoid a heat emergency is to stay in the shade or in a ventilated, air-conditioned area during the hottest parts of the day.
If you have to be outside during those times, take precautions. For example:
- Rest as often as possible.
- Wear light-colored, loose clothing.
- Drink water frequently.
- Avoid alcohol.
Role of homeopathy in heat emergencies
Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When heatstroke is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.
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