By Dr. Manoj Sharma-
Dr. Sharma is a Professor and Chair of the Social and Behavioral Health Department and an Adjunct Professor in Internal Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He is a global expert in health promotion.
With heat waves breaking records this summer in various parts of the world, it has become imperative that we become aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and take proper steps to avoid it. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats (gets too hot) and cannot easily restore its normal temperature if left untreated and the underlying conditions not corrected. A common cause is excessive physical activity or staying for prolonged periods of time in hot and humid weather conditions. During physical activity or exercise, the body starts to lose water through sweating and that can lead to dehydration which is a common contributor to heat exhaustion.
Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, confusion, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, fever, confusion, headache, shallow breathing, and rapid beating of the heart. These symptoms can get better by drinking water or fluids and taking a rest in a cool environment. However, if untreated, heat exhaustion has the potential to progress to heatstroke which is a life-threatening or permanent disability-causing situation. In this condition, loss of consciousness, seizures, and rising of the body temperature over 106oF within 10-15 minutes can happen.
Some common risk factors that can precipitate heat exhaustion are being old (over 65 years) or being young (under 4 years), drinking alcohol which adds to getting dehydrated, excessive physical exertion in heat, and being overweight or obese. Some prescription drugs such as diuretics which are commonly prescribed for high blood pressure or heart failure can add to dehydration and precipitate heat exhaustion. Likewise, beta-blockers that lower heart rate and are also used to treat hypertension can add to heat exhaustion. Some cancer treatment drugs can also augment the progression of heat exhaustion.
How to prevent heat exhaustion? First, avoid exerting yourself or staying for long periods of time outside in hot weather. Second, wear loose clothing including a hat if you must be outside in hot weather. Third, drink a lot of water or fluids with electrolytes (like Gatorade or other sports drinks). Do not wait until you are thirsty and take water every 30 minutes or so. Fourth, be aware of the medications you are taking and discuss their potential to cause heat exhaustion with your pharmacist or healthcare provider so you can be extra careful, Fifth, plan your daily activities in the summer months so that you can avoid being outside during peak hot times. Consider taking a few trips and those too early in the morning or late in the evening. Finally, remember that the temperature in a car or a closed vehicle that is standing outside in the sun gets hotter by 15-20 degrees than the outside temperature. There have been unfortunate incidences where kids have been left locked in their cars only to be found dead. So always exercise extreme caution. Park in the shade and use windshield sunshades.
