Sunstroke & Summer Emergencies

SUNSTROKE & EMERGENCIES DUE TO SUMMER HEAT

 Follow these to avoid the sunstroke & emergencies due to summer heat:

• Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Use a sunscreen, which is suitable for your skin.
• Drink extra fluids. To prevent dehydration, it's generally recommended to plenty of water, fruit juice, or vegetable juice. It may be advisable to substitute an electrolyte-rich sports drink for water during periods of extreme heat and humidity.
• Monitoring the colour of your urine. Darker urine is a sign of dehydration. Be sure to drink enough fluids to maintain very light-coloured urine.
• Take additional precautions when exercising or working outdoors. During exercise, you should consume another 8 ounces (at least two glasses) of water every 20 minutes, even if you don't feel thirsty.
• If possible, avoid direct sun exposure. Stay in cool area “preferably during the hottest part of the day
• Avoid fluids containing caffeine or alcohol, because both substances can make you lose more fluids and worsen heat-related illness.
• At home, draw your curtains, shades, or blinds during the hottest part of the day, and open windows at night on two sides of your building to create cross-ventilation.
• Never leave a child in a closed, parked vehicle, not even for a minute.
• Make sure babies and children drink plenty of fluids.
• Avoid bundling infants in heavy blankets or clothing.

Inspite of above precaution, if you or someone feels following sign & symptoms seek the medical help immediately:

• Fainting
• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness and light-headedness
• Lack of sweating despite the heat
• Red, hot, and dry skin
• Muscle weakness or cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid heartbeat, which may be either strong or weak
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Behavioural changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

First Aid for Heat Stroke or Heat emergencies:

If you suspect that someone has heat emergencies or above mentioned sign & symptoms, immediately call  Ambulance service  or transport the person to a hospital. Any delay seeking medical help can be fatal.

While waiting for the paramedics to arrive, initiate first aid.

• Move the person to an air-conditioned environment -- or at least a cool, shady area -- and remove any unnecessary clothing.
• Fan air over the patient while wetting his or her skin with water from a sponge or garden hose.
• Keep the patient in a shower.
• If patient is fully conscious (oriented for time, place and person) then & that only give small quantity of fluid to drink frequently. ( Remember patient should not drink large quantity of fluid in a single attempt)