Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Health Ministry
Heat Stress
Heat Stress Hot weather is here! While most people welcome summer, there are heat stress dangers if you are not careful. The average body temperature is 98.6oF, but working/playing in hot/humid conditions can cause your body’s temperature to rise beyond the point at which it can cool itself. To keep your body temperature within safe limits, you must get rid of excess heat, primarily by circulating more blood closer to your skin surface, and releasing perspiration onto your skin. If the surrounding air is warmer than your body temperature, circulating blood is not cooled, and evaporation of perspiration is decreased. In a hot/humid environment, the danger of heat-related illnesses increases as your body temperature rises.
HEALTH EFFECTS
|
ILLNESS TYPE |
SYMPTOMS |
FIRST AID |
|
Transient Heat Fatigue |
Discomfort, mental distress, loss of coordination and/or alertness. |
Rest in a cool location. |
| Heat Rash (Prickly Heat) | Non-contagious skin rash marked by red pimples and intense itching. | Clean rash area, dry completely and keep dry. Anti-itch lotion can be used. |
| Heat Collapse (Heat Syncope) | Dizziness, fainting. | Rest in a cool location. |
| Heat Cramps | Painful intermittent muscle spasms, usually after a period of strenuous work and heavy sweating. | Drink electrolyte liquids; consult a doctor if you are on a low-sodium diet. |
| Heat Exhaustion | Extreme weakness/fatigue, nausea, headache. Cool, moist, pale, skin. Profuse sweating, slightly elevated temperature. | Rest in a cool location. Drink electrolyte liquids; consult a doctor if you are on a low-sodium diet. Extreme cases require medical attention. |
| Heat Stroke | Hot, dry, red skin, absence of sweating. Body temperature rising past 105oF. Mental confusion, delirious, convulsions, unconsciousness. | Always life threatening – brain damage and death can result if not cooled quickly. Immediately call 911. Bathe in cool water and fan vigorously. |
Prevention
How can your protect yourself and your family from heat stress illnesses? Take the following preventative steps:
• Replace body fluids lost through perspiration – drink water and electrolyte fluids frequently. Thirst alone is not an adequate indicator of the body’s need for liquids! Drink 1 cup of cool liquid (50-60oF) every 20 minutes.
• Allow time for your body to become “acclimated” (used to) being in hot weather. Your body can make adjustments to heat over a period of 1-2 weeks. But beware! This acclimatization can be lost in as little as 3 days.
• Wear sunscreen. Reapply every 2 hours.
• Wear light, loose-fitting, breathable clothing (like cotton).
• Bathe regularly to prevent sweat gland blockage, which causes heat rash.
• Use air conditioning during the hottest part of the day. Fans may reduce heat stress as long as the air temperature is less than your skin temperature, and if the airflow moves directly over you. The use of sun shields/shade is also helpful.
• Consider scheduling outside work/activities during cooler early morning or evening hours. If you must be outside during the hottest part of the day, drink plenty of fluids, take frequent rest breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned location, and pace yourself.
Notable Heat Issues
• Heat tends to promote accidents due to slippery sweaty palms, dizziness, and lowered mental alertness. Increased body temperature and physical discomfort promotes irritability, anger, etc., that sometimes cause people to overlook safety procedures or to divert attention from task performance. • During unusually hot weather conditions lasting longer than 2 days, the number of heat illnesses increases.
• Sufficient sleep and good nutrition are important for maintaining a high level of heat tolerance.
• Overweight, chronically ill, and/or older people are at a greater risk of heat illnesses.
• Drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages can cause additional dehydration because they are diuretics (make your body lose water).
• Certain medications (e.g., blood pressure control, diuretics) increase your chances of heat stress. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if any medicines you are taking may affect you in hot weather.
Margaret Mikulich, Health & Safety Consultant
Please remember to donate blood during the summer months! Blood donations drop during the summer months, as many individuals are busy with vacations and leisure activities. Due to the upcoming construction at Good Shepherd, a drive will not be held in the fellowship hall in September. For eligibility requirements and information on donation opportunities, please check www.givelife.org or call 1-800-Give Life (1-800-448-3543).
Health Ministry Archived articles: click here.
Good Shepherd is a Stephen Ministry Congregation, with seven members commissioned to serve as Stephen Ministers. A Stephen Minister is a person with the gift of mercy, who shows compassion, gives encouragement to and intercedes for those he or she cares for.
Ongoing Activities:
"Helping Hands"
needs your small travel sized toiletries (soaps, shampoo, conditioner, lotion,
etc) for packages they are preparing for the local shelters. Please put the
items in the designated drawer in the Helping Hands Corner now located in
Classroom 200 (first room on the right in the Education Wing.
We welcome interested individuals who have a background in the health/social sciences field or those who have an interest in those areas.