Weekly Safety Share #30 Heat Related Illness
With the next couple months are typically the warmest, we should be reminded of heat related injuries. The number one thing we can do to avoid heat related injuries is to stay hydrated and pay attention to the our body’s reaction.
As the name if the illness suggests, it’s caused by heat. – excessive heat that increases your body’s core temperature. That heat could come from exercising, from being inside a hot space or from the weather. High humidity – greater than 60% - makes sweat evaporation difficult. A heat illness happens when your body is unable to dissipate heat effectively. Sweating fails to keep you cool.
The four heat illnesses in order of mildest to most severe are:
- Heat rash happens when your excessive sweat gets trapped under your skin, blocking your sweat glands.
- Heat cramps occur when you’re sweating so much, losing salt (electrolytes) and fluid, that your muscles cramp. It usually happens when you’re exercising or working in the heat.
- Heat exhaustion happens after a longer period of time when your body doesn’t get enough fluids.
- Heat stroke is caused by a quick increase in core temperature as a result of high heat and humidity.
Symptoms of heat rash include:
- Red skin
- Itchy skin
- Pain that is tingly or “prickly”
- Small bumps or blisters where your skin touches other skin, especially your neck, groin, armpits, etc
- Infection
Symptoms of heat cramps include:
- Muscle pain, and/or spasms, in the legs, arms and abdomen.
- Body temperature remains normal.
- Cool, moist skin.
Symptoms of Heat exhaustion include:
- Quick, shallow breathing
- Heavy sweating and thirst.
- Muscle cramps.
- Headache and irritability.
- Elevated body temperature and heart rate.
- Weak, quick pulse.
- Moist, cool skin.
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
- Decrease in urination.
- Dizziness, weakness, lack of coordination and fainting.
NOTE: If you suffer heat exhaustion, you should be seen by a healthcare provider.
Symptoms of heat stroke include:
- A quick, strong pulse.
- Dizziness, fainting, loss of consciousness.
- Slurred speech, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, altered mental state.
- Dry, red, hot skin.
- Nausea.
- Temperature of 40.5 degrees Celsius or higher.
- Muscle twitching.
- Seizures.
- Hyperventilation.
- No sweating, despite the heat, humidity.
NOTE: Heat stroke is a medical emergency. It can lead to organ failure and death.
Prevention
The number one thing you can do to prevent heat illness is to stay hydrated. You can monitor your hydration by taking note of the colour of your urine. The following chart is used to help people monitor their hydration level.
Other effective methods to avoiding heat illness are:
- Refrain from alcohol and other drugs, certain prescription medications can affect hydration.
- Wear light, loose fitting clothing.
- Biology: Males are more prone to heat illness than females. Some are more prone than others.
- Take more frequent micro breaks in a shady place, preferably with a breeze.
- Conditioning: We can acclimatize ourselves to work in the heat.
Although the latter two mentioned heat illnesses are unlikely, each of our bodies handle the heat differently. So, individual body chemistry, fitness and acclimatization will determine how you handle the heat. Pay attention to your body and stay hydrated.
Have a great week!