Brenham Clinic Warns of Dangers of
Dehydration and Heat Stroke
With weeks of 90+
temperatures and seemingly no end in sight, Brenham Clinic is urging all
residents to pay attention to the early-warning signs of heat-related illness.
The danger
of dehydration and heat stroke:
Dehydration
and heat stroke are two very common heat-related diseases that can be life
threatening if left untreated.
What is
dehydration?
Dehydration
can be a serious heat-related disease, as well as being a dangerous side effect
of diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Children and persons over the age of 60 are
particularly susceptible to dehydration.
What causes dehydration?
Under normal
conditions, we all lose body water daily through sweat, tears, urine, and
stool. In a healthy person, this water is replaced by drinking fluids and
eating foods that contain water. When a person becomes so sick with fever,
diarrhea, or vomiting, or if an individual is overexposed to the sun,
dehydration occurs. This is caused when the body loses water content and
essential body salts such as sodium, potassium, calcium bicarbonate, and phosphate.
Occasionally,
dehydration can be caused by drugs, such as diuretics, which deplete body
fluids and electrolytes. Whatever the cause, dehydration should be treated as
soon as possible.
What are
the symptoms of dehydration?
The following
are the most common symptoms of dehydration. However, each individual may
experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
- Thirst
- Less-frequent urination
- Dry skin
- Fatigue
- Light-headedness
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Dry mouth with mucous membrane
- Increased heart rate and breathing
In children,
additional symptoms may include:
- Dry mouth and tongue
- No tears when crying
- No wet diapers for more than three hours
- Sunken abdomen, eyes, or cheeks
- High fever
- Listlessness
- Irritability
- Skin that does not flatten when pinched and released
The symptoms
of dehydration may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always
consult your physician for a diagnosis.
Treatment
for dehydration:
If caught
early, dehydration can often be treated at home under a physician's guidance.
In children, directions for giving food and fluids will differ according to the
cause of the dehydration, so it is important to consult your child's physician.
In cases of
mild dehydration, simple rehydration is recommended by drinking fluids. Many
sports drinks on the market effectively restore body fluids, electrolytes, and
salt balance.
For moderate
dehydration, intravenous (IV) fluids may be required, although, if caught early
enough, simple rehydration may be effective. Cases of serious dehydration
should be treated as a medical emergency, and hospitalization, along with
intravenous fluids, is necessary. Immediate action should be taken.
How can
dehydration be prevented?
- Take
precautionary measures to avoid the harmful effects of dehydration, including
the following:
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially when working or playing in
the sun.
- Make sure you are taking in more fluid than you are losing.
- Try to schedule physical outdoor activities for the cooler parts
of the day.
- Drink appropriate sports drinks to help maintain electrolyte
balance.
- For infants and young children, solutions such as Pedialyte®
will help maintain electrolyte balance during illness or heat exposure. Do not
try to make fluid and salt solutions at home for children.
What is
heat stroke?
Heat stroke
is the most severe form of heat illness and is a life-threatening emergency. It
is the result of long, extreme exposure to the sun, in which a person does not
sweat enough to lower body temperature. The elderly, infants, persons who work
outdoors, and those on certain types of medications are most susceptible to
heat stroke. It is a condition that develops rapidly and requires immediate
medical treatment.
What causes
heat stroke?
Our bodies
produce a tremendous amount of internal heat and we normally cool ourselves by
sweating and radiating heat through the skin. However, in certain
circumstances, such as extreme heat, high humidity, or vigorous activity in the
hot sun, this cooling system may begin to fail, allowing heat to build up to
dangerous levels.
If a person
becomes dehydrated and cannot sweat enough to cool their body, their internal
temperature may rise to dangerously high levels, causing heat stroke.
What are
the symptoms of heat stroke?
The
following are the most common symptoms of heat stroke:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Disorientation, agitation, or confusion
- Sluggishness or fatigue
- Seizure
- Hot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty
- A high body temperature
- Loss of consciousness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Hallucinations
The symptoms
of a heat stroke may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always
consult your physician for a diagnosis.
Treatment
for heat stroke:
It is
important for the person to be treated immediately as heat stroke can cause
permanent damage or death. There are some immediate first-aid measures you can
take while waiting for help to arrive, including the following:
- Get the person indoors
- Remove clothing and gently apply cool water to the skin followed
by fanning to stimulate sweating
- Apply ice packs to the groin and armpits
- Have the person lie down in a cool area with their feet slightly
elevated
Intravenous
(IV) fluids are often necessary to compensate for fluid or electrolyte loss.
Bed rest is generally advised and body temperature may fluctuate abnormally for
weeks after heat stroke.
How can
heat stroke be prevented?
There are
precautions that can help protect you against the adverse effects of heat
stroke. These include the following
- Drink plenty of fluids during outdoor activities, especially on
hot days. Water and sports drinks are the drinks of choice. Avoid caffeinated
tea, coffee, soda, and alcohol, as these can lead to dehydration
- Wear lightweight, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing in light
colors
- Schedule vigorous activity and sports for cooler times of the
day
- Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat, sunglasses and
using an umbrella
- Increase time spent outdoors gradually to get your body used to
the heat
- During outdoor activities, take frequent drink breaks and mist
yourself with a spray bottle to avoid becoming overheated
- Try to spend as much time indoors as possible on very hot and
humid days
If you have
a chronic condition, talk to your physician about extra precautions you can
take to protect yourself against heat stroke.