Dehydration and heat stroke are two very common heat-related diseases that
can be life-threatening if left untreated. A Wise
Cacher Knows: By the time you feel thirsty, you are already
significantly dehydrated. Older people, especially the elderly have impaired
thirst mechanisms and are more likely to dehydrate.
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, although each
individual may experience symptoms differently.
Symptoms may include: thirst, less-frequent urination, dry skin, fatigue,
light-headedness, dizziness, confusion, dry mouth and mucous membranes,
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 3 hours, sunken abdomen, eyes or
cheeks, high fever, listlessness, irritability, skin that does not flatten
when pinched and released
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 pediatrician. In cases of mild dehydration, simple re-hydration
is recommended by drinking fluids. Many sports drinks on the market
effectively restore body fluids, electrolytes, and salt balance.
For moderate dehydration, intravenous fluids
may be required, although if caught early enough, simple re-hydration 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: 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 like Pedialyte will help maintain
electrolyte balance during illness or heat exposure. Do not try to make
fluid and salt solutions at home for children. A
good rule of thumb to follow when hydrating the body is to consume 8 to 10
glasses of water a day, just to maintain a 'normal' level of hydration.
...that proper water intake can actually increase our bodies performance.
Remember that water or a high quality sports drink (during high exertion) is
the best approach to proper hydration. Some drinks such as coffee, beer and
sodas can actually increase your body's need for
hydration because they can
have a diuretic effect. Also, our bodies do consume a certain amount of
water from food such as fruits and vegetables.
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 can
not 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, although each
individual may experience symptoms differently.
Symptoms may include: 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 heart
beat, hallucinations
How is heat stroke treated?
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.
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 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: Drink plenty of fluids during outdoor activities, especially on hot days. Water and sports drinks are the drinks of choice; avoid tea, coffee, soda and alcohol as these can lead to dehydration. Wear lightweight, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing in light colours. 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 live in a hot climate and have a chronic condition, talk to your physician about extra precautions you can take to protect yourself against heat stroke.