Heat Stress

What is heat stress? Basically, take a hot day and high humidity and it can add up to heat stress. This condition occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature. This is the body's way of saying, "I can't take the heat anymore." There are three kinds of heat-related problems you may experience: heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps. They can occur separately or in combination.

Page Two: Heat Stroke: Symptoms and First Aid

Page Three: Heat Exhaustion: Symptoms and First Aid

Page Four: 4 Ways to Avoid Heat Stress

Heat Stroke: Symptoms and First Aid

Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Heatstroke occurs when the body's heat regulating system breaks down under stress and sweating stops. Unless the victim receives quick treatment, death can occur.

Symptoms:

• No sweating (or victim may be sweating profusely)
• High body temperature (105 degrees or more)
• Hot, dry, flushed skin
• Confused, delirious behavior
• Loss of consciousness or coma
  
  First Aid:
  
• Immediately call for medical help, and then start first aid
• Move the victim to a cool place
• Cool the victim quickly by giving a cool bath (sponging with cool water) and by fanning
• Treat for shock
• Offer a conscious person half a glass of water every 15 minutes

Heat Exhaustion

This is a more serious disorder that develops when the body loses more fluid through sweating than it is taking in.

Symptoms: