health
23
July
2009
lems. Doing too much on a hot day,
spending too much time in the sun or
staying too long in an overheated place
can cause heat-related illnesses. Know
the symptoms of heat disorders and
overexposure to the sun, and be ready
to give first aid treatment.
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of
heat-related illness that can develop
after several days of exposure to high
temperatures and inadequate or unbal-
anced replacement of fluids. It is the
body's response to an excessive loss of
the water and salt contained in sweat.
Those most prone to heat exhaustion
are elderly people, people with high
blood pressure and people working or
exercising in a hot environment. Warn-
ing signs of heat exhaustion include
the following: heavy sweating, paleness,
muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness,
dizziness, headache, nausea or vomit-
ing and fainting. Cooling measures that
may be effective are to drink a cool
non-alcoholic beverage (preferably
water), rest, cool shower, get into an
air-conditioned environment and wear
lightweight clothing.
For more information on heat ex-
haustion or other heat-related symp-
toms, call your local health center.
house
boat
magazine
READER
SERVICE
NO.
53
READER
SERVICE
NO.
74
