Picture
What a beautiful time of the year!  Summer is here, family vacations are abound, and hours of fun are spent outdoors.  Yet, summertime has such a great capacity to impact our health, too.  Heat exhaustion is a common condition that can easily happen for residents of Austin.  As temperatures spike and humidity thickens, it’s important you take heed to the important warning signs of heat exhaustion.

First of all, here are some of the common symptoms for heat exhaustion:
  • Heavy sweating
  • Paleness
  • Muscle Cramps
  • Tiredness
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Nausea and/or Vomiting
  • Fainting
A person experiencing heat exhaustion may have cool and moist skin; a fast, yet weak pulse rate; and their breathing may be quick, yet shallow.  The elderly, people with high blood pressure, and people who work outside are at a greater susceptibility for heat exhaustion.

What can you do to prevent heat exhaustion this summer?  First of all, stay hydrated!  Try your best to drink half your weight in ounces of water per day.  In other words, if you weigh 200 pounds, you should be drinking 100 ounces of water, or 12.5 cups (8 fluid ounces equals one cup) each day.  That may seem like a lot, but it may surprise you how fast your body loses water while in the heat.  

Also consider the cooling effects of water in other ways than just drinking it.
  • Fill buckets or basins with cool water and soak your feet.
  • Wear wet towels and bandannas on your shoulders or head
  • Use a spray bottle filled with cold water for refreshing spritzes throughout the day 
  • Take cool showers or baths
If you or someone you know begins exhibiting symptoms of heat exhaustion, as indicated above, follow these steps:
  • Call 9-1-1 if it is a medical emergency or the condition worsens to heat stroke.
  • Drink cool, non-alcoholic beverages
  • Rest
  • Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath
  • Get into an air-conditioned environment
  • Wear dry, light-weight clothing
Additionally, homeopathic remedies can be very helpful if someone is experiencing heat exhaustion.  After taking doses of certain homeopathic remedies the person may feel better, or even feel back to normal, within minutes!  Here is a brief list of a few of them and their corresponding indications.
  • Belladonna: Severe, throbbing headache with a red, flushed face.  Worse from being suddenly jarred.  Usually a headache that affects the right side.  Is also worse from the light of a room and/or noise.  The face may feel hot and be flushed, but the body is chilled.
  • Carbo Vegetablis: Great weakness and collapse after exposure to the sun.  Fainting from heat exhaustion.  Skin feels cold and clammy.  The person has great nausea.  
  • Cuprum Metallicum: Severe cramps in the abdomen or legs.  Face looks pale and the person feels very weak. 
These are just a few of the homeopathic remedies that may help people who are experiencing heat exhaustion.  Please contact me for more information.

Be sure you stay safe while you go out to have all your fun this summer!  Keep this article with you and enjoy!

Sincerely,
Noel
 


Comments

Myra Nissen, CCH, RSHom(NA) link
07/09/2010 8:12am

Noel, great article. Lots of home care tips. Austin is a place where heat exhaustion is likely to occur.

Reply



Leave a Reply