There are a number of dangers associated with the summer that are best avoided. Perhaps one of the best known of those problems is dehydration. This is an issue that can occur at any time of the year but during the summer, it is more likely to take place. That is especially true if we are active in the summer and are sweating as a result of exercise or sports. Staying hydrated is one of the most important things that you can do but in some cases, you may still experience a problem that extends beyond dehydration and can include heat exhaustion.
When an individual is in the heat for an extended amount of time, their core body temperature can rise significantly. If it gets high enough and the issue is not addressed quickly, it can lead to a problem with heat exhaustion. This can cause a wide variety of symptoms that include muscle cramps and headaches. If it is not addressed, more serious issues can result and it could even lead to a problem with heatstroke, which is a serious medical emergency. Even when an individual is not yet suffering from heatstroke, however, they may be in danger of illness.
Recognizing the symptoms of this issue is one of the best things you can do to help prevent more serious problems. You should watch for these symptoms if you are out in the heat for any length of time, not only in yourself but in others who are nearby. Some of the symptoms include heavy sweating, dizziness, faintness, fatigue, low blood pressure on standing, weak pulse, nausea, muscle cramps, headaches and goosebumps in the heat. Not everybody is going to experience all of these symptoms and in some cases, you may only have one or two of them at first.
If you do start to experience the symptoms of heat exhaustion, don’t wait to get the help that you need. Get to an area where you can rest, preferably in the shade and drink water and sports drinks. It is important, if possible, to drink cold water when you are experiencing severe dehydration. The reason why that is the case is because colder water metabolizes faster than temperature water. It can help you to hydrate quickly and get your core body temperature down at the same time. Drinking sports drinks can also help, because it helps to replace the electrolytes that may be lost when you sweat profusely.
If you get to an area where you can rest and stop all activity, you may find that it is still a problem. You should not hesitate to get to Better Faster Urgent Care, so we can assess the situation and provide the necessary treatment. Heat exhaustion is a medical condition but if your core body temperature continues to rise, you could end up with heatstroke. This is a problem that can be very serious and could potentially be fatal. Don’t allow the issue to accelerate. Come to Better Faster Urgent Care and get checked out immediately.
There are also times when the symptoms may require that you seek immediate medical attention. This would include any time that an individual who is suffering from heat exhaustion loses consciousness or is becoming agitated. If the individual is not able to drink fluids, it is also a serious medical condition. In most cases, resting in the shade and drinking fluids will help to relieve the symptoms within an hour. If they get worse or within that amount of time, it is a medical condition that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
Along with treating any issue with heat-related illnesses, it may also be possible to avoid them in the first place. One of the most important things is to stay hydrated. Dehydration can occur very quickly and if you’re not drinking water on a regular basis, perhaps every 15 minutes, you could quickly lose enough water that it would cause your core body temperature to rise more quickly. It is best if you keep water with you so that you are more likely to drink then if you have to go to an area to drink water regularly.
One other thing you can do is to rest prior to the time that you get sick. Don’t wait till you’re feeling dizzy and nauseous to head for a shady spot. Take frequent breaks if you are working or playing out in the sun all day long. It can help you to enjoy the activity and to avoid more serious consequences.
