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Heat-sensitive illness is one of the biggest public health problems of the summer months.  When you experience the related cramping, fatigue or dizziness, you may not understand what is happening inside of your body.  “The body is overheating.  It is sweating and gets so hot that it cannot sweat enough to cool it down.  This builds up to heat and causes you to experience symptoms,” said Michelle Marra, school Health Director for Fayette County.  All heat illnesses are not the same.

You may have experienced heat cramps,which is the mildest form of heat-related illness.  “You get an increase of muscle spasms in your legs and arms,” said Marra.  “Sweating, fatigue and thirst are other signs you may be in trouble.  “What you can do is rest, drink additional fluids such as Gatorade,which has some sodium and electrolytes to help replace what your body is missing.”

Heat exhaustion is common as well.  Mayo Clinic advises that heavy sweating, faintness, fatigue, dizziness, muscle cramps, headache, nausea, low blood pressure when standing,and a weak, fast pulseare all symptoms of heat exhaustion.  “You should rest in a shaded area, maybehave to lay down and put your legs up and drink more fluids to help get cooled down,” said Marra. 

Heat stroke is serious.  Symptoms include flushed skin, high body temperature and a lack of sweatingaccording to Mayo Clinic.  “A lot of times you can have a seizure and lose consciousness so it is an emergency,” said Marra.  “You would want to call 911 and get cooled off quickly.” The doctor often uses cold or ice water as a means of quickly lowering your body temperature.  You may be wrapped in a special cooling blanket and have ice packs placed on your neck, back and groin to lower your temperature.

There are several preventive measures you can take.  Most basically, stay hydrated.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends drinking even if you are not thirsty.  “Sodas and sweetened drinks are not an acceptable substitute for water,” said Marra.  Sugar can make you lose more body fluid. 

Do not overdress.  The American Cancer Society recommends wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing along with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.  In addition to protecting yourself from skin cancer, you will be keeping your body cooler. 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention warns against leaving a child in the car even with the windows down because the inside temperature can rise nearly twenty degrees in the first ten minutes. 

Planning your time outdoors wisely is another great defense.  “Around eleven o’clock is the most intense sun and heat so you should try to do your practices very early or very late,” said Marra.  When the heat index becomes high, it is advised to stay indoors if possible.  “We have a lot of high temperatures so you should pay attention to that,” said Marra.  If you are not used to spending time outside, do not overdo it.  When beginning a new exercise routine, start slowly and increase your pace gradually. Bring a friend or family member when you can. This way someone will be able to monitor you and you can look out for someone else’s health as well.   

Schools are on board with prevention efforts.  “We encourage coaches and band directors to ensure some type of shade for kids to be able to get out of sunlight,” said Marra.  When kids stay hydrated ahead of time as well as while out on the playing field, they tend to manage better.  “We encourage drinking eight to twelve ounces of cool water every half hour to ensure they are staying adequately hydrated,” said Marra.

Athletes are required by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association to take extra precautions.  When it is ninety-five to ninety-nine degrees outside, they mandate 10 minute water breaks after every thirty minutes, ice-down towels for cooling and be watched closely by a coach or team physician.  For contact sports, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association says that helmets and other equipment can be removed when players are not in contact with one another.  Practices may be shortened or postponeduntil evening.  The temperature and humidity should also be rechecked every half hour to determine if the heat index has increased. 

Know if the heat poses a danger to you.  “If you are on medications, which can be an antihistamine, diuretic or drug for attention deficit or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, it increases your susceptibility to having a heat-related injury,” said Marra.  The Center for Disease Control lists age, dehydration, fever, mental illness, heart disease, sunburn, poor circulation, obesity and alcohol use as other risk factors.

If you find yourself battling with the heat during the warm months have a discussion with your doctor.  Find out what you can do to protect yourself and those you love.  “Fayette County takes this issue seriously,” said Marra.