Heat related illnesses are avoidable if the right actions are taken before, during and after working in either indoor or outdoor hot conditions. High temperatures and humidity can stress the body’s ability to cool itself, making heat illness a big concern during hot-weather months. Anyone who works or plays outdoors – farmers definitely included – during summer months is exposed to elevated heat conditions and therefore is susceptible to heat illness.
Heat cramps are the most common type of heat related injury and probably have been experienced by nearly everyone at one time or another. Heat cramps are muscle spasms which usually affect the arms, legs or stomach. Frequently they do not occur until sometime later after working or playing outdoors, at night or when relaxing. Heat cramps are caused by heavy sweating, especially when water is not replaced quickly enough. Although heat cramps can be quite painful, they usually don’t result in permanent damage.
Prevention and First Aid: Drink electrolyte solutions such as Gatorade and plenty of water to help keep your body hydrated during hot weather.
Heat exhaustion is more serious than heat cramps. It occurs when the body’s internal temperature regulating system is overworked, but has not completely shut down. In heat exhaustion, the surface blood vessels and capillaries, which originally enlarged to cool the blood, collapse from loss of body fluids and necessary minerals. This happens when you do not drink enough fluids, especially water.
Symptoms include headache, heavy sweating, thirst, dizziness, fatigue, loss of coordination, nausea, impaired judgment, loss of appetite, hyperventilation, tingling in hands or feet, anxiety, cool moist skin, weak and rapid pulse (120-200) and low to normal blood pressure.
Prevention and First Aid: Anyone with these symptoms should be moved to a cool location such as a shaded area or air-conditioned building. Have them lie down with their feet slightly elevated. Loosen their clothing, apply cool, wet cloths or fan them. Have them drink water or electrolyte drinks. Try to cool them down, and have them checked by medical personnel. Victims of heat exhaustion should avoid strenuous activity for at least a day, and they should continue to drink water to replace lost body fluids.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening illness with a high death rate. It occurs when the body has depleted its supply of water and salt, and the victim’s core body temperature rises to deadly levels. A heat stroke victim may first suffer heat cramps and/or heat exhaustion before progressing into the heat stroke stage. Heat stroke is sometimes mistaken for a heart attack.
Symptoms include a high body temperature (103° F); a distinct absence of sweating (usually); hot red or flushed dry skin; rapid pulse; difficulty breathing; constricted pupils; any/all the signs or symptoms of heat exhaustion such as dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, or confusion, and possibly more severe systems including bizarre behavior and high blood pressure. Advanced symptoms may be seizure or convulsions, collapse, loss of consciousness and a body temperature of over 108° F.
Prevention/First Aid: It is vital to lower a heat stroke victim’s body temperature. Pour water on them, fan them or apply cold packs. Call 911 to get the person medical aid as soon as possible.
Dr. Janet Shapter is the Emergency Room physician at St. John’s Hospital in Berryville, Ark.
