Heat-Related Illnesses - And How to Avoid Them

We all love to spend time outdoors on a beautifully sunny day - in fact it can be good for you to spend limited time in the sun due to the good source of Vitamin D that is found in sunlight. But when we overdo it, complications can arise that can not only have a negative effect on your day, but your overall health in general.

We all understand that staying out of the hot day’s sun and putting on enough sunblock to cover our skin is a necessity for people of all ages, but the sunshine isn’t the only hot-weather effect that can cause us potential problems. Heat is one of the simplest things to overlook in the hotter months, and here is why you should be wary.

Overheating In the Home

Many people associate overheating with marathon runners or football players who are working hard in the sun who succumb to heatstroke or heat-related illnesses, but more people each year are taken to the emergency room for heat-related illness from simply being at home, inside.

The most deadly form of heat-related illness is heat stroke. Heat stroke occurs when the body gets too hot, overheats and is unable to cool down. The mechanism for sweating - the body’s natural remedy to regulate heat fails and the body starts to shut down rapidly.

Heat stroke was credited for around 500 fatalities in 2011, with that figure set to rise year on year. With many authorities struggling to handle the numbers of heat-related illnesses and deaths, prevention is the key to tackling this rising toll. Knowing when you or a loved one is overheating is the best way to prevent any further troubles from occurring.

What Are The Signs?

Before you or a loved one comes down with a heat-related illness such as heat stroke, you will notice a few signs of overheating that can be treated quickly to prevent anything serious from occurring. One of the first signs of overheating is the feeling of being uncomfortable.

As the heat rises, people become uncomfortable, irritable and stressed. Further along, overheating affects the ability to concentrate, leading to dizziness and an inability to focus.

If you are feeling any of these symptoms, take a break from any work you may be doing, seek shade if you are outdoors and take on fluids; preferably cool water to help the body regulate heat properly. Sweating is a good sign that your body is working hard to regulate your heat, but if you are retaining heat and not sweating, seek emergency treatment immediately.

If you are indoors and are suffering from the heat in the hotter months, there are many things you can do to prevent your home overheating on a hot day. Make sure you are taking on water on a regular basis, stay in the cooler parts of your home, and invest in a home cooling system to regulate your home to prevent overheating.

Keeping a Cool Home

One of the best things you can do to keep our home cool is to invest in one of the new home ventilation systems available on the market. These innovative cooling systems help regulate the heat in your home, venting the hot air out of your roof to keep your house cool and comfortable in even the hottest of weather.

Keeping a cool home in the hottest months is a great way to ensure your family doesn’t succumb to the stresses of summer, and allows you to create a sanctuary away from the sun. Ensuring that you take a break at regular intervals when working outside, applying plenty of sunblock and hydrating yourself regularly will allow you to enjoy summer, not hide take a vacation from it.


Image Source: greensense, firstaidandcprcourses, essentialsailing, platinumhw, webdicine, michellehenry, higherperspective