Summertime health hazards many do not consider are heat-related illnesses.  Over 600 preventable deaths occur each year from heat-related illnesses.  Most of these illnesses occur between May and September.  Outdoor events like amusement parks, sporting activities, exercising, and environments, where air-conditioning is not available, are among some of the places that heat exertion may arise.  The use of fans does not make you less vulnerable.  Neither does cracking a window and leaving children inside the car.

There is a progression to heat-related illnesses. Heat stress occurs when the body is unable to cool itself properly.  If you are too hot and sweating profusely, possibly experiencing muscle pain or spasm, it is likely that you are experiencing heat stress.  When those symptoms worsen and combine with conditions like clammy skin, headache, dizziness, cramping, fast, weak pulse, vomiting, passing out, it is probably heat exhaustion or worse case, a heat stroke.  A heatstroke can damage vital organs like the brain and heart.  If there is a possibility of a heat stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.

The most vulnerable groups are infants and young children, the elderly, those who have mental illnesses, and individuals with chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, athletes, and individuals with lower income.  Reasons range from not being able to recognize changes in the body quickly enough to the inability to remove themselves from the dangerous environments, medications that change the bodies ability to cool itself properly, to not having resources like air conditioners.

Ebony Hunter, MD, a medicine physician at John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Tampa and St. Petersburg, explains, “heat exhaustion and dehydration are very common with an increased frequency in the summer months.  The smaller the person, the easier it is for it to occur due to body surface area.  It is more so important when surrounded by water, as the cooling effect of water decreases our thirst mechanism and mask how much we sweat.”  Therefore, being in or around water is not a guarantee that you will be protected from heat-related illnesses.

The US Department of Health and Human Resources suggest staying indoors during a heatwave when possible.  If air conditioning is not available, perhaps going to the mall or library to cool off.

Westchase resident and educator, Linda Parin, teaches at Davidsen Middle.  Her concern is for the number of kids who wear heavy clothing during the hot months of Florida.  “They experience symptoms of overheating, yet do not physically or intellectually recognize these symptoms.  They often refuse to remove the heat-generating clothing for personal reasons, thereby putting their health and life in jeopardy.  It’s frightening how many kids experience these symptoms regularly.”

It is important to be more aware of the dangers and proactively care for infants, children, the elderly, and others who are at greater risk.

Additional things you can do to avoid heat related-illnesses are:

  • Drink lots of water
  • Wear light clothing
  • Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks
  • Wear lightweight, loose clothing
  • Avoid leaving children in cars
  • Check on the elderly twice a day when temperatures are abnormally high