What is Heat Exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion, according to Mayo Clinic, is a condition caused by elevated body temperature which can lead to heatstroke, a dangerous medical condition that’s difficult to recover from. Heat exhaustion is more common during days when humidity is high. The situation becomes even more dangerous when people exposed to high heat stop drinking water throughout the day. While anyone can get heat exhaustion, those who are most at risk of heat exhaustion, and consequently, heatstroke, are the elderly and young children. Meaning, when your AC is temporarily unavailable on a hot and humid day, you can become heat exhausted! Read on to see Happy Harold’s tips on how to combat and prevent heat exhaustion.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of heat exhaustion include cold or clammy skin, profuse sweating, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, and fainting. The CDC recommends seeking medical attention if you are throwing up, if your symptoms worsen, or if they last longer than one hour. Similarly with heatstroke, make sure to keep an eye on your body temperature! Temperatures of 104° F or higher can be extremely dangerous because it can lead to the rapid dehydration of the body’s water and organ failure. Seek medical attention right away if you feel as though you, or someone you know, has heat stroke; it is a serious medical condition and needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
Here’s How to Prevent it:
When a heat wave hits, the last thing you want is your AC breaking down! After you contact Happy Harold, make sure to stay hydrated and sip (not gulp) plenty of water. The human body uses water to cool down by sweating, and when you stop sweating, you’re more likely to get heat exhaustion. This also means that you should avoid consuming beverages with caffeine, such as tea, coffee, and energy drinks, since these lower the body’s amount of water. Put on loose and breathable clothing, allowing your skin to breathe easier. Lastly, avoid heat exhaustion by applying cool towels to the skin throughout the day. You may even want to take a nice, cool shower or bath! One of the best ways to avoid heat exhaustion is making sure your AC runs smoothly before Rochester’s heat hits.
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