Page 124 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2016

HEALTHY LIVING hot hot hot! PREVENTING
heatstrokes
124 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • August 2016
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
story courtesy of www.mayoclinic.org
Residents of South Mississippi must be vigilant during the months of hot, humid weather to guard against heatstrokes. Heatstroke is predictable and preventable by taking the following steps:
Wear loose fitting, lightweight clothing. Wearing excess or tightly fitting clothing won’t allow your body to cool properly.
Protect against sunburn.
Sunburn affects your body’s
ability to cool itself, so wear
a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and use a
sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 when outside. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or sweating.
Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated will help your body 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 20 degrees in 10 minutes. It’s not safe to leave a person in a parked car in warm or hot weather, even if the windows are cracked or the car is in shade.
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 early morning or in the evening.
Get acclimated. Limit time spent working or exercising in heat until you’re conditioned to it. It can take several weeks for your body to adjust to hot weather.
Be cautious if you’re at increased risk. If you take medications or have a condition that increases your risk of heat-related problems, avoid the heat and act quickly if you notice symptoms of overheating. If you participate in a strenuous sporting event or activity in hot weather, make sure there are medical services available for a heat emergency.