Wednesday, June 8, 2011

STAYING SAFE IN THE SUMMER HEAT

Now that summer has finally arrived, I wanted to give you a reminder of preventing and handling heat-related illness.  There can be a bit of confusion about the two most common heat-related illnesses - "heat exhaustion" and "heat stroke".  

Heat exhaustion is a series of symptoms caused by a combination of lack of proper and adequate hydration and exertion often in hot, humid weather.  If these symptoms are not noticed and handled they could become "Heat Stroke"  which is a total failure of the body's ability to regulate its temperature.  It is a medical emergency and should be handled as such. 
 
Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion are: headaches, heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, nausea or vomiting and fainting. The skin may also be cool and moist.  If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to heat stroke, when the person stops sweating completely. That is an emergency.

The best prevention against heat-related illness is staying hydrated with water and electrolytes especially during extended outdoor activities.  Water is not enough, the body also needs to replace electrolytes. Putting 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. of Celtic Sea Salt in water will replace necessary minerals and without the high fructose corn syrup, sugar and chemicals you get from sports drinks.       

If you find you regularly have trouble with these symptoms when the temperature rises, and staying hydrated isn't helping, there may be other body situations that can be at play in your body.  Mineral deficiencies, adrenal fatigue, circulatory problems or thyroid imbalance have all been seen to cause these issues.  Please be sure to see a Dr. if you're having problems with the increasing temperatures so you can enjoy the beautiful (and hot!) Michigan summer!

RESOURCEThe American Red Cross gives a full description of emergency actions to take for heat stroke.

Blessed for your highest good!

><>  Sherry Perkins
Personal Fitness Training and Certified Raindrop Therapy Practitioner
Empowered Fitness and Holistic Health
Website: www.EmpoweredHealthFitness.com
Website: www.raindroptherapy.net
PH: 734-646-5582

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