Summer is still going strong, and I have a chance to share some tips from Dr. Ali Shehata, DO on how you can prevent heat exhaustion.
Drink lots of water
Your body loses water through sweating, and if your home is dry, you may not notice just how much water you're losing. Make it a habit to increase fluids in the summer, even if you don't go out often. When you do go out, though, be sure to take a large bottle of water or a drink that contains electrolytes, like a sports drink. This is even more important for athletes, especially kids' sports teams, and outdoor workers, who need to have a cooler and frequent hydration breaks which are literally life-saving.
Dress properly
Loose-fitting, light-colored clothes are the rule when the weather gets hot. Although it sounds counterintuitive, loose clothes that cover our torso and extremities optimize airflow, leading to the evaporation of sweat that thereby cools the body. Light colors are also very important as they reflect sunlight and thereby reduce heat absorption. Exposing skin is more likely to cause sunburn and increases how much heat our bodies absorb. Also, consider moisture-wicking fabrics when it's humid.
No alcohol
Use water or a sports drink for hydration, and never alcohol, coffee, or tea .Alcohol consumption makes it much harder for our bodies to regulate temperature and therefore, makes heat illness much more common. Many people incorrectly assume that since alcohol is a liquid that they are "hydrating," but as many already know from experience, alcohol (a diuretic) actually makes you urinate more and thus dehydrates you.
Know the Signs of Heat Illness
Be on the look-out for the following signs: nausea, headache, fatigue or weakness, muscle cramps or feeling like you are about to pass out. If you notice any of them, get out of the heat immediately and into a cool environment and get busy rehydrating. If you are not getting better, you may need to call 911 or have someone get you to medical care. Whenever in doubt, seek medical care and don't take the chance of symptoms progressing to heat stroke.
Use extra caution with parked cars
Even if the weather outside doesn't seem bad, the temperature inside of a car can quickly turn deadly, even with the windows cracked or if you park in a shaded area. After 30 minutes, a car parked in 85-degree weather will reach 119 degrees, and over 125 degrees after 60 minutes. With much of the country experiencing temperatures above 95-degrees in the summer, that equates to temperatures of 130 degrees after 30 minutes and 140 after 60 minutes! Let's make this the year where we have zero hot car-related deaths.
About Dr. Ali
Dr. Ali Shehata, DO, is a board-certified Family and Emergency Medicine physician with 25 years of clinical experience. As a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, his approach to care is more holistic. Dr. Ali is also the founder of FamCinema, an inclusive family-friendly OTT streaming platform. As also a father and a first generation American, Dr. Ali was inspired to create FamCinema to promote positive portrayals of Muslims and other marginalized communities, while also providing a way for viewers to limit screen time, so as to encourage life experiences. He currently resides in the Las Vegas area with his family.
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