Heat wave health warnings!
ATTENTION ALL PACIFIC NORTHWEST RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING THE HEAT WAVE!
A large part of our region is on extreme heat alert. This means that some areas will be experiencing weather 92F~100F or higher over the coming week.
We're not used to this kind of weather, so I just want everyone to be really careful. I was born in Phoenix, and they taught me about heat exhaustion and heat stroke when I was a wee little thing. All of these are very dangerous conditions that should be watched for in yourself and in others. All of these conditions can cause confusion, meaning someone may be experiencing them without realizing it.
HEAT EXHAUSTION
Symptoms
* Heavy sweating
* Paleness
* Muscle cramps
* Fatigue
* Weakness
* Dizziness
* Headache
* Nausea/vomiting
* Fainting
If you are experiencing several of these symptoms, get out of the heat immediately. Go inside, ideally somewhere with AC. Drink some water (slowly!) or an electrolyte-rich sports drink and place a cool compress on the back or your neck or forehead. Lie down if you can. Heat exhaustion can easily lead to heat stroke, so be careful.
HEAT STROKE
Symptoms
* Same as Heat Exhaustion, only severe
* High body temp
* LACK of sweating (meaning you have officially run out of hydration)
* Red, flushed skin
* Rapid pulse
* Difficulty breathing
* Neurological symptoms (confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, agitation, strange behavior)
* Seizures
* Coma
Heat stroke is a serious medical emergency. If you see someone who may be experiencing heat stroke, call 911 immediately, as it can be fatal.
HYPONATREMIA (TOO MUCH WATER!)
Symptoms
* Confusion
* Lethargy
* Agitation
* Seizures
* Coma
Too much water can actually be fatal. Water is not a substance your body can absorb straight; it needs electrolytes like sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and phosphate in order to process it. In hyponatremia, you lack enough electrolytes to take in the water, and the water basically poisons you. This condition is rare, and usually occurs when athletes drink too much water, but it can happen to people during extreme heat waves as well. Drink water, but also consider alternating glasses of water with Gatorade. Eat a banana; they're full of potassium. If you see someone who may be experience hyponatremia, call 911 immediately, as it can be fatal.
MOST IMPORTANTLY!
Please, please keep an eye on the people around you. These conditions often cause confusion, meaning the victim may not realize they are in trouble. If you see someone acting oddly or showing some of these symptoms, please stop and ask them if they're okay. There is unfortunate phenomena called the Bystander Effect: when in a group, people are less likely to offer help or aid to someone in need because they assume someone else will. This is not the case. If something seems off, don't walk away. Follow your gut; you just might save someone's life.
Feel free to link to this post, so others can be on alert!
A large part of our region is on extreme heat alert. This means that some areas will be experiencing weather 92F~100F or higher over the coming week.
We're not used to this kind of weather, so I just want everyone to be really careful. I was born in Phoenix, and they taught me about heat exhaustion and heat stroke when I was a wee little thing. All of these are very dangerous conditions that should be watched for in yourself and in others. All of these conditions can cause confusion, meaning someone may be experiencing them without realizing it.
HEAT EXHAUSTION
Symptoms
* Heavy sweating
* Paleness
* Muscle cramps
* Fatigue
* Weakness
* Dizziness
* Headache
* Nausea/vomiting
* Fainting
If you are experiencing several of these symptoms, get out of the heat immediately. Go inside, ideally somewhere with AC. Drink some water (slowly!) or an electrolyte-rich sports drink and place a cool compress on the back or your neck or forehead. Lie down if you can. Heat exhaustion can easily lead to heat stroke, so be careful.
HEAT STROKE
Symptoms
* Same as Heat Exhaustion, only severe
* High body temp
* LACK of sweating (meaning you have officially run out of hydration)
* Red, flushed skin
* Rapid pulse
* Difficulty breathing
* Neurological symptoms (confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, agitation, strange behavior)
* Seizures
* Coma
Heat stroke is a serious medical emergency. If you see someone who may be experiencing heat stroke, call 911 immediately, as it can be fatal.
HYPONATREMIA (TOO MUCH WATER!)
Symptoms
* Confusion
* Lethargy
* Agitation
* Seizures
* Coma
Too much water can actually be fatal. Water is not a substance your body can absorb straight; it needs electrolytes like sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and phosphate in order to process it. In hyponatremia, you lack enough electrolytes to take in the water, and the water basically poisons you. This condition is rare, and usually occurs when athletes drink too much water, but it can happen to people during extreme heat waves as well. Drink water, but also consider alternating glasses of water with Gatorade. Eat a banana; they're full of potassium. If you see someone who may be experience hyponatremia, call 911 immediately, as it can be fatal.
MOST IMPORTANTLY!
Please, please keep an eye on the people around you. These conditions often cause confusion, meaning the victim may not realize they are in trouble. If you see someone acting oddly or showing some of these symptoms, please stop and ask them if they're okay. There is unfortunate phenomena called the Bystander Effect: when in a group, people are less likely to offer help or aid to someone in need because they assume someone else will. This is not the case. If something seems off, don't walk away. Follow your gut; you just might save someone's life.
Feel free to link to this post, so others can be on alert!