By Teresa Carr
Adams County Senior Council
Administrative Assistant
From The CDC-The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – Heat Related Illnesses
Heat Stroke – Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment.
Symptoms of heat stroke include:
· Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech
· Loss of consciousness (coma)
· Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
· Seizures
· Very high body temperature
· Fatal if treatment delayed
First Aid – Take the following steps to treat a worker with heat stroke:
· Call 911 for emergency medical care.
· Stay with the worker until emergency medical services arrive.
· Move the worker to a shaded, cool area and remove outer clothing.
· Cool the worker quickly, using the following methods:
· With a cold water or ice bath, if possible
· Wet the skin
· Place cold wet cloths on the skin
· Soak clothing with cool water
· Circulate the air around the worker to speed cooling.
· Place cold wet cloths or ice on the head, neck, armpits, and groin; or soak the clothing with cool water.
Heat Exhaustion – Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating. Heat exhaustion is most likely to affect:
· The elderly
· People with high blood pressure
· Those working in a hot environment
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
· Headache
· Nausea
· Dizziness
· Weakness
· Irritability
· Thirst
· Heavy sweating
· Elevated body temperature
· Decreased urine output
First Aid – Treat a worker who has heat exhaustion by doing the following:
· Take worker to a clinic or emergency room for medical evaluation and treatment.
· Call 911 if medical care is unavailable.
· Have someone stay with the worker until help arrives.
· Remove the worker from the hot area and give liquids to drink.
· Remove unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks.
· Cool the worker with cold compresses or have the worker wash their head, face, and neck with cold water.
· Encourage frequent sips of cool water. To read the entire article, go to: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatrelillness.html#print
Just A Thought: “Aging has a wonderful beauty, and we should have respect for that.” ~Eartha Kitt
