MAY 2018

HEALTH ADVISORY
HEAT STROKE
Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body
overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure
to or physical exertion in high temperatures. This most
serious form of heat injury, heatstroke, can occur if
your body temperature rises to 40 degree Celsius or
higher. The condition is most common in the summer
months.

High body temperature | Altered mental state or behavior

|Alteration in sweating | Nausea and vomiting | Flushed
skin | Rapid breathing | Racing heart rate | Headache
If you have signs or symptoms of heatstroke, seek emergency
medical help. Others should take steps to cool you off while
waiting for emergency help to arrive. Don't drink any fluids
while waiting for medical assistance.
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing. Wearing excess
clothing or clothing that fits tightly won't allow your body to
cool properly. - Get to a shady or air-conditioned place.
Protect against sunburn. Sunburn affects your body's ability - Cool off with damp sheets and a fan.
- Take a cool shower or bath.
to cool itself, so protect yourself outdoors with a wide-
-Rehydrate. Drink plenty of fluids. Also, because you lose salt
brimmed hat and sunglasses and use a broad-spectrum through sweating, you can replenish salt and water with some
sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen sports drinks.
generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if - Don't drink sugary or alcoholic beverages to rehydrate. These
you're swimming or sweating. drinks may interfere with your body's ability to control your
Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated will help your body temperature. Also, very cold drinks can cause stomach cramps.
sweat and maintain a normal body temperature.
Take extra precautions with certain medications. Be on
the lookout for heat-related problems if you take medications
that can affect your body's ability to stay hydrated and
dissipate heat.
Never leave anyone in a parked car. This is a common
cause of heat-related deaths in children. When parked in the
sun, the temperature in your car can rise up to more than 6.7
degree Celsius in 10 minutes.
Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day. If you
can't avoid strenuous activity in hot weather, drink fluids and
rest frequently in a cool spot. Try to schedule exercise or
physical labor for cooler parts of the day, such as early
morning or evening.
Get acclimated. Limit time spent working or exercising in A FRIENDLY REMINDER FROM YOUR PARTNERS IN
heat until you're conditioned to it. People who are not used to SAFETY AND HEALTH:
hot weather are especially susceptible to heat-related illness.
It can take several weeks for your body to adjust to hot
weather.