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| Vol. 23, No. 10 |
| June 1, 2001 |
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Precautions Can Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses By PORFIRIO VILLARREAL Houston Department of Health and Human Services As summer approaches, temperatures begin to rise and so does the risk of heat-related illness, especially among the elderly. Officials at the Houston Department of Health and Human Services say thirty-eight heat-related deaths were reported in Harris County last summer. During the summers of 1998 and 1999, there were 23 and 20 heat deaths, respectively. The human body normally cools itself by perspiring, but heat and humidity can interfere with this cooling process. High body temperatures can lead to brain damage, damage to other vital organs, and even death. Heat exhaustion, usually associated with heavy activity, is the body's response to an excessive loss of water and salt contained in sweat. Signs include profuse sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, a weak-but-rapid pulse, and fainting. The skin may be cool and moist. If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to heat stroke. Heat stroke occurs when the body's temperature rises rapidly, the sweating system fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given. Heat stroke symptoms include an extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, orally); red, hot and dry skin (no sweating); rapid and strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion and unconsciousness. The ability to respond to thermal stress, either heat or cold, is impaired in the elderly. It takes the aged nearly twice the time of younger people to return to core body temperature after exposure to extreme outdoor temperatures. It is recommended that the elderly ask relatives, friends or neighbors to visit them and check for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Others who are particularly vulnerable include infants and children up to four years of age, those who are overweight and people with heart and respiratory problems. Staying indoors, preferably in an air-conditioned home or building such as a library, shopping mall or multi-service center, is the best protection against the heat. Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans without refrigerated air only spur the movement of hot humid air, which will accelerate body heating and raise internal body temperature. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off. To avoid heat-related illness, the Houston Department of Health and Human Services recommends:
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