As temperatures approach triple digits, the Alabama Department of Public Health is warning residents to take precautions against extreme heat. Heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, can occur when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded.
Recognizing Heat-Related Illnesses
Heat cramps are characterized by muscle pains or spasms, profuse sweat, and high salt concentration in the sweat. Heat exhaustion is associated with heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, or vomiting, and fainting. Heat stroke, the most serious heat-related illness, is life-threatening and may occur when the body is unable to control its temperature.
Health officials recommend drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding alcohol and caffeinated beverages, staying in air-conditioned rooms, seeking shelter from the sun, wearing light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, using sunscreen, taking cool showers or baths, and reducing strenuous activities during the hottest times of the day. Individuals with heart disease, diabetes, obesity, poor circulation, or a history of stroke are at high risk of becoming ill in hot weather.
Original reporting: Alabama News Network — read the source article.
