View From the Balcony

Writers Block

2005-07-27

Dealing with extreme heat and dehydration

Dealing with extreme heat and dehydration

Oppressing heat has been the tall order of the day for both Canada amd most of the United States. The twin menaces of heat and humidity present dehydation dangers we may or may not give much attention to at the time but need to be addressed.

The main thing is to hydrate your body both inside and outside. The best way to do this is water - and lots of it.

Sodas, juices pops and other methods are not as effective nor as healthy for you to use in extreme heat as cooling agents.

Since your body is a good 75% water to begin with, try to understand when more fluids go out, such as sweat, urine and body heat, then comes in, your body begins to break down, can make you very ill and in some cases result in death.

If you suffer gastrointestinal illness then you need to take particular care as vomiting and diarrhea can put you in extreme danger. As you will have very little interest in food or liquids during bad times, try ice chips when drinking water seems to much to do.

Dealing With Dehydration

For most of us, that feeling of forever thirsty is the way we begin to recognize dehydration. But that is an advanced stage and by the time we begin to pay attention to that red flag, we are in trouble.

Other symptoms of dehydration include:

* feeling dizzy and light-headed
* having a dry or sticky mouth
* producing less urine and darker urine


If you must go out, then wear loose fitting clothes of natural product fibre that will absorb the sweat.

Make sure you are wearing a hat, carry a water supply and take several breaks in a shaded area if at all possible. No shade, try a walk around an air-conditined mall.

However, do not put yourself in one extreme to the other for short periods of time. It does not help to shock your body from hot to cold and back again.

if you are determined to maintain your workout schedule, do take extra care- continuing to run when dehydrated can lead to heat stroke and death.

Children the Elderly and the Long-term Ill Person ...

They all need special attention during extreme and prolonged heat periods. Watchout in particular for whiny attitudes, fatique, no interest in anything, will not eat or just pick, dry lips and tongue, and other tips that will let you in on what is happening.

Both heat exhaustion and heat stroke require immediate care. Heat stroke is a medical emergency that, when untreated, can be deadly. Any child, the eldery or ill, with heat stroke should be rushed to the nearest hospital.

© Copyright 2005, Fran Klasinski All Rights Reserved.