Tips for avoiding heat-related injuries

By Cmdr. David Horn - U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka, Japan

It's hot. In most areas of the United States - and, for that matter, most of the Northern hemisphere - the temperature is up, the humidity is up and it's getting a lot of people down.

For many, it’s more than a matter of discomfort. High heat and humidity can be dangerous. Excess heat retention and dehydration can lead to a variety of heat-related injuries.

The most common heat-related incident, and the one that gets the least attention, is sunburn. Sunburn not only damages your skin and leads to skin cancer, but it also promotes dehydration.

The key to fun in the sun is frequent application of sunscreen and protection from the direct rays of the sun, especially during the peak hours of the day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Heat rash is skin irritation caused by reduced ability of sweat to evaporate. The rash usually appears as pimples on the neck, groin area or under the arms. Loose, absorbent clothing makes it easier for sweat to evaporate.

Heat cramps are painful spasms that occur mostly in the arms and legs caused by an excessive loss of salt. The key to treatment is to provide cool water and a shady location for the person to cool down.

Heat exhaustion is caused by fluid loss from profuse sweating without enough fluid replacement. The individual will often get a headache along with feeling weak, tired and nauseous. Victims will appear pale with cool moist skin.

Treat heat exhaustion by getting victims to a cool, shady location. Give them plenty of water to drink and have them lay down for a while. Personnel should obtain medical treatment to ensure victims are properly recovering and rehydrating.

Heat stroke is the most serious heat condition and is a true medical emergency. It is caused when the body's temperature regulating system fails and the body stops sweating. This causes an increase in internal body temperature because the body can no longer dissipate heat.

People suffering heat stroke will become dizzy and confused with headache and nausea. Their skin will be red and hot to the touch. Heat stroke rapidly leads to delirium, loss of consciousness, coma and death.

Heat stroke must be treated quickly by soaking the victim’s clothes with cool water and getting them to a cool shaded area. Fanning will help to increase the cooling. Medical treatment must be obtained promptly or damage to internal organs, the brain or death will result.

Heat affects the elderly the most, but every year younger people die from it as well. Last year the Minnesota Vikings lost player Kory Stringer from heat stroke. The Navy and Marine Corps lose several people a year to the heat.

So how can people enjoy the summer without becoming a heat stress statistic? The most important thing someone can do is to stay hydrated. The best way to do that is to drink water regardless of whether you feel thirsty or not. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day under normal conditions and even more when the heat is up. The loss of fluid causes the body core temperature to rise, leading to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Your urine is the best indicator to tell if you have enough fluid intake. It should be pale yellow. Dark urine indicates that you are losing water and need to drink more.

For more Navy Medicine news, go to www.news.navy.mil/local/mednews.