Sweating is one of the ways the body protects us from becoming overheated. As the sweat evaporates, it carries heat out of the body. It's an effective system, but it has one disadvantage. The sweat carries with it a fair concentration of salts. These salts are natural components of the body's chemistry.
When excessive sweating causes us to lose too much of these salts, the results can be weakness and, sometimes, severe cramps.
Heat cramps are one of the common hazards of working in a hot environment. They feel like painful muscle spasms in the arms, legs and stomach.
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke
Two other ways overheating can affect us are heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Here are several ways the two conditions differ. By knowing the difference, you may be able to help another worker having trouble with heat stress. First aid is helpful, but medical help is advisable.
Heat exhaustion can happen to someone who has perspired heavily after long exertion on a very hot day. The body loses an excessive amount of water and salts.
Heat stroke can happen when the air is hot, humid and windless. The sweat-producing mechanism breaks down. The sweat can't evaporate into the atmosphere because the air is already saturated with water vapor.
In heat exhaustion, thanks to the sweating, the patient's body temperature is normal or only slightly higher. He feels exhausted, faint, and sometimes nauseated. The skin is moist. It may be pale. The pulse is fast, but feeble. Cramps may develop.
In heat stroke, the body, unable to lose heat, becomes extremely hot. The body temperature may rise to 107 degrees Fahrenheit. (Normal is 98.6 degrees F.)
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The patient is restless, confused and may become unconscious. The skin is dry, hot and reddened. The pulse is fast and forceful.
First aid tips
Here are some first aid tips if either condition occurs in the field, or at work sites some distance from medical help.
With heat exhaustion, get the patient into a cool area and let him lie down. Loosen clothing and elevate the feet. Give the patient fluids to drink slowly--say, half a glass every 15 minutes. If salt tablets are available in first aid kits, now is the time to use them. Follow directions.
Even though recovery is likely to be good, it is wise to get medical advice.
Heat stroke is more serious. Quickly get the patient into the coolest place, indoors if possible. Remove his clothing, or soak it with cold water. Start to cool him down by sponging his body with cold or tepid water, fanning him vigorously all the while.
The idea is not to bring the body temperature down to normal, but only to lower it 2 or 3 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heat stroke is a serious medical emergency, requiring quick action. Untreated, it can be fatal.
If working in a group, have someone summon an ambulance while others start first aid.
Working in the hot sun is an obvious hazard. But in this summer of 2001, with the possibility of widespread energy shortages, once air-conditioned offices could get uncomfortably steamy if cutbacks are ordered. Take care.
Copyright 2001 by Dr. Phillip L. Polakoff and medical writer Jack Tucker/PAI. Used with permission.
Sweating is one of the ways the body protects us from becoming overheated. As the sweat evaporates, it carries heat out of the body. It’s an effective system, but it has one disadvantage. The sweat carries with it a fair concentration of salts. These salts are natural components of the body’s chemistry.
When excessive sweating causes us to lose too much of these salts, the results can be weakness and, sometimes, severe cramps.
Heat cramps are one of the common hazards of working in a hot environment. They feel like painful muscle spasms in the arms, legs and stomach.
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke
Two other ways overheating can affect us are heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Here are several ways the two conditions differ. By knowing the difference, you may be able to help another worker having trouble with heat stress. First aid is helpful, but medical help is advisable.
Heat exhaustion can happen to someone who has perspired heavily after long exertion on a very hot day. The body loses an excessive amount of water and salts.
Heat stroke can happen when the air is hot, humid and windless. The sweat-producing mechanism breaks down. The sweat can’t evaporate into the atmosphere because the air is already saturated with water vapor.
In heat exhaustion, thanks to the sweating, the patient’s body temperature is normal or only slightly higher. He feels exhausted, faint, and sometimes nauseated. The skin is moist. It may be pale. The pulse is fast, but feeble. Cramps may develop.
In heat stroke, the body, unable to lose heat, becomes extremely hot. The body temperature may rise to 107 degrees Fahrenheit. (Normal is 98.6 degrees F.)
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The patient is restless, confused and may become unconscious. The skin is dry, hot and reddened. The pulse is fast and forceful.
First aid tips
Here are some first aid tips if either condition occurs in the field, or at work sites some distance from medical help.
With heat exhaustion, get the patient into a cool area and let him lie down. Loosen clothing and elevate the feet. Give the patient fluids to drink slowly–say, half a glass every 15 minutes. If salt tablets are available in first aid kits, now is the time to use them. Follow directions.
Even though recovery is likely to be good, it is wise to get medical advice.
Heat stroke is more serious. Quickly get the patient into the coolest place, indoors if possible. Remove his clothing, or soak it with cold water. Start to cool him down by sponging his body with cold or tepid water, fanning him vigorously all the while.
The idea is not to bring the body temperature down to normal, but only to lower it 2 or 3 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heat stroke is a serious medical emergency, requiring quick action. Untreated, it can be fatal.
If working in a group, have someone summon an ambulance while others start first aid.
Working in the hot sun is an obvious hazard. But in this summer of 2001, with the possibility of widespread energy shortages, once air-conditioned offices could get uncomfortably steamy if cutbacks are ordered. Take care.
Copyright 2001 by Dr. Phillip L. Polakoff and medical writer Jack Tucker/PAI. Used with permission.