SAHealth.com 3 KEEPING WELL — SUMMER 2023 People are encouraged to take precautions to avoid heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses Summer is a wonderful time of year. Kids are out of school, and family and friends are enjoying the great outdoors. Unfortunately, summer fun comes with the risk of sunburns and heat-related illness as well as burns associated with fireworks, campfires, and outdoor cooking. Methodist Healthcare offers some easy preventive measures for preserving the fun! Fun in the sun There are three stages of heat-related illness: 1 Heat cramps. Severe muscle spasms occur as a result of salt and water loss, most often felt in hands, calves, and feet. 2 Heat exhaustion. More than just feeling fatigued, heat exhaustion is a serious condition caused by exposure to high temperatures, humidity, and strenuous physical activity. Symptoms include weakness, dizziness, fainting, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. 3 Heat stroke. Considered a medical emergency, symptoms include confusion, lack of sweat, organ failure, and convulsions or seizures. You can reduce your risk of heat-related illness by increasing fluid intake and limiting alcohol use — alcohol and even caffeine can actually dehydrate the body. Take frequent breaks in cool and shady or air-conditioned places if spending extended time outside, and remember to reduce normal outdoor activity levels, especially during the hottest periods of the day. Speak with your physician about how to stay safe if you take medicines that make you more vulnerable to heat. If you suspect dangerous signs of heat exhaustion in others, it’s important to act quickly. Move the person out of the heat and place them in a cool environment. Have them drink cool water, and place cold, wet cloths or ice on the head, neck, armpits, and groin, or soak the clothing with cool water. Nothing ruins your summer fun worse than a bad sunburn. One of the most important ways to avoid sunburn is the use of sunscreen. Ensure you are using sunscreen of at least 30 SPF, and remember that it should be applied 30 minutes before going out in the sun. Fires, cooking, and grilling The start of summer also means grilling season for many, which should always include an extra serving of caution on the menu. It starts with setting up a safe, well-ventilated area for the grill that includes a no-kid zone. Safety precautions to consider when grilling: » Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your house, bushes, or other flammable materials. » Never use an accelerant such as gasoline to light a grill, bonfire, or debris pile. Gas fumes can ignite and cause a large explosion. » Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid on an already lit fire, because the flames can flash back up into the container and explode. » Always wear short sleeves and/or tight-fitting clothing while grilling. » Use utensils with long handles to stay clear of hot surfaces. Methodist Healthcare reminds community of summer heat safety Here if you need us While we hope your summer is a safe one, should something happen to you or your children, Methodist Healthcare is available to treat you with local, around-the-clock access to emergency care. Methodist Hospital is also home to the Burn and Reconstructive Program, a certified center equipped to treat all burn types for both adult and pediatric patients. To find an emergency room near you, visit SAHealth.com.
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