More on heat
Posted
in Eddy Weiss' Blog
at 09:02AM on 07/19/2010
It was just a few days ago that the team met in mid-tour in West DesMoines, Iowa. While the forecast was for a mere 110 degree heat index, heat indexes actually reached 120 degrees! Returning to Nebraska just in time for Kearney Cruise Night, the heat returned to Nebraska to make for one hot weekend.
As the pivots spit water across sun-baked corn, the heat threats are not anywhere near over for all of us and it is important to know how to recognize signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Heat stroke occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature; perhaps you had this problem as you strolled the streets of Kearney looking at the classic cars? You see, the body’s temperature rises in the heat and the mechanism that causes you to sweat begins to fail and the body cannot cool down. When this occurs, the body’s temperature actually can rise to 106 degrees or higher within 10 to 15 minutes! Heat stroke can cause death or disability if emergency treatment is not provided right away.
According to the CDC, warning signs of heat stroke vary but may include the following:
* An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F, orally)
* Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
* Rapid, strong pulse
* Throbbing headache
* Dizziness
* Nausea
* Confusion
* Unconsciousness
What to Do
If you see any of these signs, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the victim. Do the following:
* Get the victim to a shady area.
* Cool the victim rapidly using whatever methods you can. For example, immerse the victim in a tub of cool water; place the person in a cool shower; spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose; sponge the person with cool water; or if the humidity is low, wrap the victim in a cool, wet sheet and fan him or her vigorously.
* Monitor body temperature, and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101-102°F.
* If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call the hospital emergency room for further instructions.
* Do not give the victim fluids to drink.
* Get medical assistance as soon as possible.
Sometimes a victim's muscles will begin to twitch uncontrollably as a result of heat stroke. If this happens, keep the victim from injuring himself, but do not place any object in the mouth and do not give fluids. If there is vomiting, make sure the airway remains open by turning the victim on his or her side.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. Life on a Nebraska farm can make one quite susceptible to heat exhaustion and it is easy to ignore symptoms as part of the job. Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of the water and salt contained in sweat. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure, and people working or exercising in a hot environment.
Warning signs of heat exhaustion include the following:
* Heavy sweating
* Paleness
* Muscle cramps
* Tiredness
* Weakness
* Dizziness
* Headache
* Nausea or vomiting
* Fainting
The skin may be cool and moist. The victim's pulse rate will be fast and weak, and breathing will be fast and shallow. If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to heat stroke. Seek medical attention immediately if any of the following occurs:
* Symptoms are severe
* The victim has heart problems or high blood pressure
Otherwise, help the victim to cool off, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour.
What to Do
Cooling measures that may be effective include the following:
* Cool, nonalcoholic beverages
* Rest
* Cool shower, bath, or sponge bath
* An air-conditioned environment
* Lightweight clothing
The severe weather threats are not over for Nebraska, which seems to be in “hail alley” this year, so it is important to remember that your weather radio can save your life, so stay tuned to your radio and watch that heat… it’s not just the corn that needs irrigating!
As the pivots spit water across sun-baked corn, the heat threats are not anywhere near over for all of us and it is important to know how to recognize signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Heat stroke occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature; perhaps you had this problem as you strolled the streets of Kearney looking at the classic cars? You see, the body’s temperature rises in the heat and the mechanism that causes you to sweat begins to fail and the body cannot cool down. When this occurs, the body’s temperature actually can rise to 106 degrees or higher within 10 to 15 minutes! Heat stroke can cause death or disability if emergency treatment is not provided right away.
According to the CDC, warning signs of heat stroke vary but may include the following:
* An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F, orally)
* Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
* Rapid, strong pulse
* Throbbing headache
* Dizziness
* Nausea
* Confusion
* Unconsciousness
What to Do
If you see any of these signs, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the victim. Do the following:
* Get the victim to a shady area.
* Cool the victim rapidly using whatever methods you can. For example, immerse the victim in a tub of cool water; place the person in a cool shower; spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose; sponge the person with cool water; or if the humidity is low, wrap the victim in a cool, wet sheet and fan him or her vigorously.
* Monitor body temperature, and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101-102°F.
* If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call the hospital emergency room for further instructions.
* Do not give the victim fluids to drink.
* Get medical assistance as soon as possible.
Sometimes a victim's muscles will begin to twitch uncontrollably as a result of heat stroke. If this happens, keep the victim from injuring himself, but do not place any object in the mouth and do not give fluids. If there is vomiting, make sure the airway remains open by turning the victim on his or her side.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. Life on a Nebraska farm can make one quite susceptible to heat exhaustion and it is easy to ignore symptoms as part of the job. Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of the water and salt contained in sweat. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure, and people working or exercising in a hot environment.
Warning signs of heat exhaustion include the following:
* Heavy sweating
* Paleness
* Muscle cramps
* Tiredness
* Weakness
* Dizziness
* Headache
* Nausea or vomiting
* Fainting
The skin may be cool and moist. The victim's pulse rate will be fast and weak, and breathing will be fast and shallow. If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to heat stroke. Seek medical attention immediately if any of the following occurs:
* Symptoms are severe
* The victim has heart problems or high blood pressure
Otherwise, help the victim to cool off, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour.
What to Do
Cooling measures that may be effective include the following:
* Cool, nonalcoholic beverages
* Rest
* Cool shower, bath, or sponge bath
* An air-conditioned environment
* Lightweight clothing
The severe weather threats are not over for Nebraska, which seems to be in “hail alley” this year, so it is important to remember that your weather radio can save your life, so stay tuned to your radio and watch that heat… it’s not just the corn that needs irrigating!
