HEAT NOT JUST UNCOMFORTABLE - IT ACTUALLY CAN BE DEADLY

Part I

Heat is one of the most common causes of summer ailments and one that is frequently overlooked. People may push themselves to the extent that, without immediate and proper treatment, the dizziness, nausea and vomiting caused by summer overheating may lead to coma and death.What if you have to help those affected by heat? Are you able to distinguish among heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke? A good first aider must be able to recognize the signs and start treatment for the three heat emergencies before tragedy strikes.

Prolonged periods of hot weather - heat waves - claim more lives nationally than any other natural disaster. During the summer of 1980, government statistics show that over 15,000 people lost their lives during the 1980 heat wave.

Heat places a physical burden on the heart and blood vessels. A hot environment adds a lot of heat to the body, and the body must get rid of this excess heat by increasing the flow of warm blood from the deeper parts of the body to the skin surfaces and by sweating.

When the body's cooling system is overwhelmed by the heat, the result is heatstroke. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Rapid buildup of heat causes the body temperature to rise above 106 degrees. Unless the temperature is reduced quickly, massive internal damage results in death.

Susceptibility to heat

1. Physical conditions. Older people with heart and circulatory problems, kidney problems, respiratory illnesses, skin diseases, obesity and fever are at high risk in hot weather.

2. Environmental conditions. Humidity greatly increases heat stress by interfering with the evaporation of sweat. Hot and humid weather is much more dangerous than hot, dry weather. Many buildings are poorly designed for hot weather. Flat roofs with little or no attic space offer little protection from the overhead sun, resulting in much higher indoor temperatures. Poorly placed windows that offer no opportunity for cross-ventilation, windows that do not open or open only a small amount, all combine to reduce air flow through the home.

3. Medication. Those having anti-cholinergic properties as well as narcotics, sedative hypnotics and amphetamines can seriously predispose an individual to heat-related medical problems. Consumption of alcoholic beverages can have a similar effect.

Next week's column features preventing heat stress.