Summertime can bring out the best - and worst - in us. You want to play hard (good), but don’t hydrate yourself (bad). Or spend too much time exerting yourself in the sun (again, bad). The result can be a case of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
At this time of year, it’s very important that parents, coaches and lifeguards understand the differences between heat stroke and heat exhaustion. The most important difference is this -heat stroke is a life-threatening condition in which your brain can no longer regulate your body temperature. This can result in damage to your organs or brain as your temperature escalates above 105°F.
Those most likely to suffer from heat stroke have trouble moderating body temperature - the elderly, infants and people on blood pressure, depression or allergy medications.
Those suffering from heat stroke typically have the following symptoms.
- Dizziness, confusion, hallucinations
- Unconsciousness
- Skin that is dry, flushed, hot
- Hyperventilation
- Changing blood pressure -can be elevated and then fall
- Rectal temperature of 105°F
And beware - heat stroke can develop rapidly. If you even suspect that you or another person are suffering from heat stroke, call 911. If someone has heat stroke, there are a few things you can do while awaiting the ambulance.
- If the person is conscious, move them to a cooler place or into cool water.
- Place lukewarm water on their skin and use a fan to blow air across the skin.
- If the person is not acting abnormally, try to give the person water to drink. If the person can’t tolerate the liquids, stop immediately.
Heat exhaustion is less severe and usually occurs when people overheat during exercise. The person’s body temperature does not get above 104°F. People are more susceptible to heat exhaustion when it is humid outside because the body doesn’t sweat and cool itself as effectively on humid days.
Those suffering from heat exhaustion may:
- Sweat profusely
- Suffer from muscle cramps or aches
- Have pale, moist and cool skin
- Be dizzy or feel faint
- Have a headache
- Feel weak, thirsty or nauseous
- Have an increased pulse rate
- Have a core temperature above 100°F
In some instances, heat exhaustion can be more serious. If the person can’t drink fluids, vomits continually, has chest or abdominal pain, is delirious or unconscious, or has a temperature above 104°F, seek medical attention immediately.
For mild cases of heat exhaustion, give the person plenty of fluids (not soda), have them eat some salty snacks, get them to rest in a cool place, have them remove excess clothing and apply cool water to their skin.
Get outdoors and play - just be smart. Rest when needed, drink plenty of fluids and take a few minutes to enjoy the shade.
In the heart of winter, we tend to “hibernate” - more sleep and food, less exercise and fresh air. This can lead to the “winter blues” - lethargy, lack of ambition and darker moods. However, Seasons Affective Disorder (SAD) may lead to increased sleepiness, fatigue, depression, and a general lack of ambition that goes beyond the “winter blues.” You may lose interest in your favorite activities, spend more time in bed, crave carbohydrates and gain weight. You may have trouble concentrating feel hopeless, and stop socializing.
If you notice marked changes in your sleep patterns and appetite, feel down for days, feel hopeless or suicidal, or are drinking alcohol as a source of comfort, see your doctor.
Otherwise, eat well, stay active, get outside and see people — despite the weather. Hibernating is for the bears.
Nearly 34 million Americans have cholesterol levels that can be detrimental to their health -leading to an increased risk of heart attacks, stroke, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, kidney failure, Alzheimer’s disease, liver cancer and liver cirrhosis. The good news is that research indicates American cholesterol levels have improved in the last 50 years due to increased awareness, cholesterol screenings and the use of statin medications.
That said, plenty of us are still in the dark about the cholesterol basics.
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When most people think of shingles, they think of seniors. While people over the age of 60 are most likely to get shingles, younger adults can as well. A combination of stress, poor diet and a traumatic event - such as the death of a loved one - can tax your immune system. If that happens, and if you have had the chickenpox before, you are at risk for developing shingles - nearly 1,000,000 people get shingles in the U.S. each year.
Ask anyone who has had shingles and they’ll tell you that it is a very uncomfortable, sometimes excruciating, experience. After you’ve had the chickenpox virus, the virus remains inactive within your nervous system. When your immune system is compromised and the virus is reactivated, the virus is released from nerve cells and travels down the nerves to the skin region - thus making the skin of the affected area hypersensitive.
A recent article on CNN is worth taking note of (http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/24/hand.washing.helpful/). Why? Because it makes one thing very clear — one of the best ways to stop the progression of N1H1 is by ensuring that ill individuals stay home. No one is saying that hand-washing isn’t important. In fact, scrubbing your hands for a good 20 seconds is highly recommended. But, especially in the case of children, how many of us really scrub that long? Or as often as we should? We an make handwashes available in school and tell our children to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth throughout the day — but it takes one uncovered sneeze, in one classroom to spread infection.
Not everyone can stay home with their sick children — that is a serious problem and one that needs to be addressed. If you’ve had the flu, let alone N1H1, think of how terrible you felt. Do you really expect your child to sit in a classroom feeling like that? Now is the time for people to work with their employers to discuss options, and for employers to put in place family-friendly plans that make it possible for parents to tend to their children. If possible, discussion childcare options with family members who may be available. Be proactive.
So be vigilant. Wash your hands. Watch your family for signs of headache, sore throat and fever — keep them home and let them rest. It’s time for us to come together in our communities to make this possible.
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