Stay cool to avoid heatstroke

While getting sweaty and hot is one uncomfortable side effect of enjoying the summer sun, the physicians at Lakeview Hospital , a campus of Tulane Medical Center, wish to remind people of all ages that heat can do more than make you uncomfortable – it can make you sick, or worse. Heatstroke, the most severe form of heat illness, can be fatal if left untreated. According to the CDC, extreme heat caused 7,415 heat-related deaths in the United States from 1999 to 2010.

“Elderly people and children are especially vulnerable, but anyone can succumb to heat illness,” says Dr. Christina Leal-McKinley, Family Medicine at Lakeview Regional. “Sometimes our body’s natural cooling system just can’t keep up.” The good news is heat-related illnesses are preventable.

To stay cool this summer and avoid heatstroke and other heat illnesses, follow these simple guidelines:

• Never leave children, infants or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are open.
• Wear lightly-colored, lightweight, loosely-fitting clothing to keep cool and comfortable.
• Plan outdoor activities for the coolest times of day, such as morning or evening.

"Elderly people and children are especially vulnerable, but anyone can succumb to heat illness."
- Dr. Christina Leal-McKinley

What to do if someone has heat-related illness:

If you spot any signs of heat-related illness – such as fever, confusion or combativeness, rapid pulse, flushed skin, lack of sweating, feeling faint, staggering or coma – seek medical care immediately.

Anyone suffering from a heat-related illness should be taken to a shady or air-conditioned spot and told to lie down. Apply a cold, wet cloth to the wrists, neck, armpits and groin to help cool the blood. If the person can swallow, give them nonalcoholic fluids, like water or apple juice.