The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit advises residents to take steps to prevent heat related illness when high temperatures and humidity hit our area. "The combination of high heat, high humidity and smog can be very dangerous." states Dr. Heimann, Medical Officer of Health. "High risk groups include the elderly, infants and preschool children, people with chronic illnesses like heart conditions, those who are obese, people involved in strenuous outdoor activity and people taking certain medications."

Normally, the body has ways of keeping itself cool, by letting heat escape through the skin, and by evaporating sweat (perspiration). If the body does not cool properly or does not cool enough, the victim may suffer a heat-related illness. Anyone can be susceptible although the very young and very old are at greater risk. Heat-related illnesses can become serious or even deadly if unattended. 

Preventing heat related illness

• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen (SPF >15) when outdoors. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
• Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Focus on fruits and vegetables, they provide the body with an additional source of fluids.
• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
• Stay indoors, in an air-conditioned environment, when possible. Avoid direct sunshine as much as possible. Sunburn slows the body's ability to cool itself. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to a shopping mall, the public library, community center or a friend's place.
• Take regular breaks when engaged in physical activity on warm days. Take time out to find a cool place. If you recognize that you, or someone else, is showing the signals of a heat-related illness, stop activity and find a cool place. Remember, have fun, but stay cool!

• Shorten, lower the intensity, cancel or move indoors any sport practices or competitions. Mandatory fluid breaks should be included every 10 - 15 minutes (athletes must be required to drink fluids during these breaks). All fluid loss must be replaced following the practice or competition.
• Infants and young children are at especially high risk for Heat Illness. Ensure they drink plenty of fluids on a regular basis throughout the day.
• Never leave children alone in a parked car - even for a few minutes.
• Visit relatives, friends and neighbors who are at risk of heat related illnesses and ensure they are informed and set up to deal with the heat and humidity.
• Contact a pharmacist or your physician to inquire if medications that you are taking might increase your risk of dehydration and Heat Illness and what you should do about it.
• Seek medical attention if you have or observe signs if heat illness in someone else.

Types of Heat Illness

• Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. They usually involve the abdominal muscles or the legs. It is generally thought that the loss of water and salt from heavy sweating causes the cramps.

• Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion is less dangerous than heat stroke. It typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a warm, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Fluid loss causes blood flow to decrease in the vital organs, resulting in a form of shock. With heat exhaustion, sweat does not evaporate as it should, possibly because of high humidity or too many layers of clothing. As a result, the body is not cooled properly. Signs and symptoms; cool, moist, pale, flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
• Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signs and symptoms; hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high

How is a heat illness treated?
Heat cramps:If you have heart problems or are on a low-sodium diet, get medical attention for heat cramps. If medical attention is not necessary, take these steps:

• Stop all activity, and sit quietly in a cool place.
• Drink clear juice or a sports beverage.
• Do not return to strenuous activity for a few hours after the cramps subside, because further exertion may lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
• Seek medical attention for heat cramps if they do not subside in 1 hour.

Heat exhaustion: Seek medical attention immediately if any of the symptoms are severe and/or the person has heart problems or high blood pressure Otherwise, help the person to cool off, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour. 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

Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. If you have ice packs or cold packs, place them on each of the victim's wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood vessels. (Do not use rubbing alcohol because it closes the skin's pores and prevents heat loss.) Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. Keep the person lying down until help arrives.

DO NOTs

• DO NOT underestimate the seriousness of heat illness, especially if the victim is a child, is elderly, or is injured.

• DO NOT give the victim medications that are used to treat fever (such as aspirin). They will not help, and they may be harmful.
• DO NOT give the victim salt tablets.
• DO NOT overlook possible complications resulting from a victim's other medical problems (such as high blood pressure).
• DO NOT give the victim liquids that contain alcohol. They will interfere with the body's ability to control its internal temperature.
• DO NOT give the victim anything by mouth (not even salted drinks), if heatstroke is suspected.

Websites:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Ontario Ministry of the Environment - Air Quality Index