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Heat Exhaustion : Cool, Moist, Pale, Or Flushed of Alcohol and Certain Prescription Drugs

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Heat Exhaustion : Cool, Moist, Pale, Or Flushed of Alcohol and Certain Prescription Drugs New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Fact Sheet Division of Public Health Services Excessive Heat Is very hot weather dangerous for a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost people? through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin People suffer heat-related illness when their increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the bodies are unable to compensate for the heat vital organs. This results in a form of mild and cool themselves. The body normally cools shock. If not treated, the patient may suffer heat itself by sweating. But under some conditions stroke. sweating just isn’t enough. In such cases a Heat stroke : Heat stroke is life threatening. The person’s body temperature rises quickly. Very patient’s temperature control system, which high body temperature may damage the brain produces sweating to cool the body, stops or other organs. working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the What factors cause the body to be body is not cooled quickly. unable to cool itself? Sunstroke : Another name for heat stroke. Several factors can affect someone’s inability to feel cooler during extremely hot weather. What are the warning signs to look for? When the humidity (the amount of moisture in Heat rash : Heat rash may look like a red cluster the air) is high, sweat will not evaporate as of pimples, a red area of skin, or small blisters. quickly, preventing the body from releasing It is more likely to occur on the neck and upper heat quickly. Other conditions related to risk chest, in the groin, under arms, and in elbow include age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart creases. disease, poor circulation, sunburn, and the use Heat exhaustion : Cool, moist, pale, or flushed of alcohol and certain prescription drugs. skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and/or fatigue. Body What types of problems can excessive temperature will be near normal. heat cause? Heat stroke : Hot, red skin; changes in Heat rash: Heat rash is a skin irritation caused consciousness; rapid, strong pulse; and rapid, by excessive sweating during hot, humid shallow breathing. Body temperature can be weather. It may occur at any age but is most very high, as high as 105ºF. If the patient was common in young children. Heat rash is not sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin usually dangerous. may be wet, otherwise it will feel dry. Heat cramps : Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to exertion. Although heat What should someone do if they cramps are the least severe of heat-related develop any of these illnesses? illnesses, they are an early signal that the body Heat rash: The best treatment for heat rash is to is having trouble coping with the heat. provide a cooler, less humid environment. Heat exhaustion : Heat exhaustion typically Keep the affected area dry and body powder occurs when people exercise heavily or work in may be used to increase comfort. 29 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03301 603-271-4496 www.dhhs.nh.gov Heat cramps : If you have heart problems or are • People who are physically ill, especially on a low-sodium diet, get medical attention. If with heart disease or high blood pressure, medical attention is not necessary, stop all or who take certain medications, such as for activity and sit in a cool place, drink water, depression, insomnia, or poor circulation, clear juice or a sports drink, and seek medical may be affected by extreme heat. attention if heat cramps do not subside in an hour. What can people do to prevent heat- Heat exhaustion : Cooling measures that may be related illness? effective for a victim of heat exhaustion include Air conditioning : Air conditioning is the sips of cool water, rest, cool shower or bath, air number one protective factor against heat- conditioning, and lightweight clothing. Seek related illness and death. If a home is not air- medical help if the person vomits, has a change conditioned, people can reduce their risk for in mental status, chest pain, or difficulty heat-related illness by spending time in public breathing. facilities that are air-conditioned. Heat stroke : Heat stroke may be a life- Fluids : During hot weather it is important to threatening emergency. Get the victim to a increase the amount of liquids you drink. If shady area. Call for emergency medical help. your doctor generally limits the amount you Cool the victim rapidly using whatever drink though or if you are on water pills, ask methods you can, such as cool water, a cool how much you should drink while the weather shower, spray from a hose, or if the humidity is is hot. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and large low, wrap the victim in a cool, wet sheet and amounts of sugar because they can actually fan them vigorously. Do not give the victim cause the body to lose more fluid. You should fluids to drink. Get medical care as soon as also avoid very cold drinks because they may possible. cause stomach cramps. Wear appropriate clothing : Wear less clothing, Who is most at risk for heat-related choosing lightweight, light-colored, and loose- illness? fitting clothes. Although anyone at any time can suffer from Limit outdoor activity : If you must be outdoors, heat-related illness, some people are at greater try to limit your activity to morning and risk than others. evening hours. Try to rest often in shady areas • Infants and children up to four years of age so that your body’s thermostat will have a are sensitive to the effects of high chance to recover. temperatures and rely on others to regulate Watch what you eat : Eat small meals and eat their environments and provide adequate more often. Avoid foods high in protein. liquids. • The elderly may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense For specific concerns about heat-related and respond to change in temperature. illnesses contact your health care provider • People who are overweight may be prone to or call the NH Department of Health and heat sickness because of their tendency to Human Services Division of Public Health Services at 603-271-4496 or 800-852-3345 retain more body heat. x4496 or refer to the Centers for Disease • People who overexert themselves during Control and Prevention website at work or exercise may become dehydrated www.cdc.gov. and susceptible to heat sickness. 29 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03301 603-271-4496 www.dhhs.nh.gov .
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