How to Stay Healthy in the Heat

Many people prefer to live in the summer time than the cold winter. Each of us has our own feelings about our favorite time of the year. The fact is, we all have to acclimate ourselves to the season that is on hand. Surviving the summer heat is just as important as surviving the cold of winter. Here are some idea's for healthy living in the summer.

Fan Safety: Use a fan next to a window or door. A box fan is best. The fan can blow out the hot air in the room or pull in the cool air from the outside. Another thing to consider is to use a fan on the shady part (side) of the house. Try not top use an extension cord. If you have to use an extension cord be sure it is approved by the Underwriters Laboratories. Do not use a fan with doors or windows closed. Fans do not cool air, they only move it around. They help evaporate your sweat. If the temperature is 95 degrees are more, point the fan directly on you. Make sure the fan has a safety guard on it. Keep it out of the way of little children.

Note: If you are over 60, try to find an air conditioned place to spend part of the day, especially if you live alone. Liston to the news. they will tell you when a heat warning is in effect.

Working outdoors: Many people have to work outside. Here are some common sense guidelines to follow. Work in the shade whenever possible. Work earlier in the day. Some people will start work around 5 am and quit at 1 or 2 pm. You might even consider a split shift of work during the day. This would be like 5-9 am and 5-9 pm. Wear loose fitting and light colored clothes made of cotton. Drink lots of water, juice, or tea.

Drink more than usually would. Avoid alcoholic beverages in the heat. Take at least a ten minute break every hour. Avoid extra salt or potassium. Eat light and avoid greasy type meals. Refrigerate all brown bag lunches and drinks. This is to avoid spoilage. Use cool water when you shower or bathe. Get plenty of rest in a cool area. If you are a senior citizen, think about using a cool wet rag to wash your brow with or neck. The biggest enemy for those that work outdoors is Heat Stroke.

Heat Stroke: Can come on very rapidly to those working outside and even seniors that are inside. Here are the warning tips to observe. Hot red skin, small pupils in the eyes, a body temp of 105 degrees, heavy sweating that appears to be dry, dizziness, incoherent (talking out of their head), loss of balance. If any of these appear, get the individual to a cool area quickly. A quick cool shower can do wonders for reducing body heat. Call 911. Give nothing by mouth. Prepare for the individual to go into shock.

Heat Exhaustion: Unlike heat stroke, heat exhaustion is sometimes harder to observe. It is possible for the body temp to stay about normal. The individual will have cramping of muscles, headache, heavy sweating, some dizziness, dilated pupils, and nausea. When these signs are observed, stop the individual from the activity that they are in. Place the person on their back with their feet up slightly. Use cool water compresses on the head or back of the neck. Loosen their clothes. Let them drink a half glass of water ever 15 minutes. The person should start to recover within half an hour.

Heat Cramps: Are muscle pains and cramps that are caused by extreme heat and exertion. Have the individual stop and move to a cool area. Let the person drink a half a glass of water every half hour. When they return to their activity, do it gradually and carefully.

Just as the winter has its' various problems that can arise, so does the summer. The best advice for hot days is slow and easy.

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