Dehydration, heat exhaustion,
heat stroke and heart disease
Summer is supposed to be the
time of the year when patients who have been diagnosed with heart disease,
should be able to live life more fully, right? But there are hundreds of people,
who may not realize that they have heart disease. What about them?
A talk about heart disease is important in light of the summer challenges that must be met, by those who
already know that they have heart disease and those who may not be aware that
they have heart disease.
Three of these challenges include dehydration, heat
exhaustion and heat stroke.
Heart (cardiovascular) disease
is the leading cause of death in the western hemisphere. It begins with a build
up of calcium, cholesterol and fatty material resulting in hardening of the
arteries (atherosclerosis). When the arteries are blocked by plaque, a heart
attack (myocardial infarction) may occur. A person may experience a sudden,
fatal heart attack, if there is a disturbance in the heart rhythm.
Anyone who suffers from heart
disease, whether they have been diagnosed or not, can suffer from dehydration
and heat exhaustion, during the hot summer months. If left untreated,
dehydration and heat exhaustion may turn into heat stroke, very suddenly.
Heat exhaustion occurs after a
person has been exposed to high temperatures for several days and his or her
fluid and electrolyte balance is compromised. Maybe he or she has not had
sufficient fluids to drink and has become dehydrated.
Any patient who has heart
disease is susceptible to heat exhaustion. This includes elderly patients
and anyone with an elevated blood pressure. A person engaging in excessive
physical exercise or doing heavy work during the summer months, may experience
symptoms of heat exhaustion. He or she may not necessarily be aware that this
is what is happening.
A person who has heat
exhaustion will appear pale and have cool, moist skin. His or her pulse rate
will become rapid, but weak. His or her breathing will be fast, but shallow.
Other symptoms that he or she may experience will include a feeling of
tiredness or fatigue. He or she may complain of a headache and feel weak or
dizzy. Nausea and vomiting, sweating and muscle cramps, are also symptoms of
heat exhaustion.
Be aware that these symptoms
are serious in nature and must be regarded as such. This person should be
treated immediately, particularly if he or she is known to have a heart
condition or high blood pressure.
Heat stroke is a more serious
and life threatening situation that could prove to be fatal. It begins with
heat exhaustion, but involves hyperthermia, which is an abnormally elevated,
body temperature.
Our normal body temperature is
98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heat stroke can occur when the
outdoor temperature and the humidity are extremely high. It may also happen
when a person has been very active. Normally, the body's metabolism is able to
regulate its own temperature effectively, but when a person is suffering from
heat stroke, the body's metabolism becomes compromised. Heat stroke occurs when
a person is dehydrated.
Those who are particularly
prone to heat stroke include people who have heart, lung or kidney disease.
Infants are also prone to heat stroke. So are athletes or others engaged in
excessive exercise or heavy, physical labor. Any person taking certain
medications may be susceptible to heat stroke, as well.
When a person experiences heat
stroke, he or she will have an elevated body temperature and his or her skin will feel hot, look red or flushed and be dry. He or she will not be perspiring or
sweating.
Heat stroke may cause symptoms
of a headache, dizziness, weakness and fatigue. A person may also experience
nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing and have a rapid pulse. He or she may
complain of muscle cramps.
A person experiencing heat stroke is likely to show evidence of confusion and
disorientation. He or she may begin to act strangely, appear agitated or have
hallucinations. He or she may also show evidence of seizure activity or enter
into a comatose state.
How should one treat a person
suffering from heat exhaustion and heat stroke?
Note that both heat exhaustion
and heat stroke should be regarded as medical emergencies, in which it is
advisable to seek medical assistance.
A person who suspects that he
or she is experiencing heat exhaustion should find a cooler place,
immediately. This might be outdoors, in an area that is shaded from the sun.
Indoors, a basement room or a room that is air-conditioned would be
appropriate.
A person suffering heat
exhaustion should be given cool water or other, non-alcoholic beverages to
drink immediately. If possible, he or she should have a tepid or cool sponge
bath or if able to do so, take a shower or bath.
He or she should put on cool,
light-weight, cotton clothing and rest quietly, until the symptoms subside. If
the symptoms continue to persist for an hour or longer, he or she may need to
have further medical assistance, so calling 911 is advised.
A person who is experiencing
heat stroke is already in a medical emergency state that could prove to be
fatal. This person must be treated immediately, so call 911 immediately, for
appropriate medical advice and assistance.
Before the ambulance arrives, do things that help to reduce this person's body temperature, as
quickly as possible, because organ damage can occur if the body temperature is
too high.
If the person who you suspect
is suffering heat stroke is outdoors, take him or her inside,
immediately. If this is not possible, move him or her to a shaded area. Help
him or her to remove any extra clothing that he or she is wearing.
Begin to apply tepid or cool
water to his or her face, as well as to other areas of his or her body. You
could sprinkle this person with tepid or cool water or spray him or her with a
garden hose gently, in order to reduce the body temperature.
Turn a fan on immediately, if
you are inside the house. Apply cool, moist towels to his or her face and
chest. Apply ice packs to his or her armpits and groin area, as that will help
to reduce the body temperature to below 38.8 degrees Celsius. Note that this
person may not be able to drink cool water or other drinks, depending upon his
or her mental state.
What can be done to prevent
heat exhaustion and heat stroke?
Preventative measures for heat
exhaustion and heat stroke include the following:
When it is extremely hot and
humid, do not allow yourself or others, to become dehydrated. Make a point of
drinking extra water during the summer months, but more on hot, humid days. Avoid heavy consumption of
alcohol, coffee and tea when it is hot. Drink other kinds of fluids that will improve the body's electrolyte balance, preferably ones that contain sodium,
glucose and potassium, like sports drinks, orange juice or other fruit juices
or soups. Be aware of restrictions on sodium and glucose, if you or others are
on salt restricted diets or are diabetics.
Do not participate in strenuous
exercise, do excessive work or get involved in other strenuous activity, when
the temperature is extremely high or it is very humid. Postpone doing these
kinds of activities until the temperature and humidity are lower.
Dress appropriately for hot and
humid weather. Wear light-weight, light-colored, loose fitting clothing made of
100 % cotton. Cover your head with a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella when
possible, if you are going to be exposed to the sun. When it is a really hot
day, stay in the shade. Limit your direct exposure to the hot sun.
Make certain that infants and
children have extra fluids to drink, when it is extremely hot and humid. Bathe
them frequently. Do not overdress them. Cover them with only light-weight
blankets or sheets, when it is hot and humid.
Make certain that you are aware
of where they are playing or sleeping and limit their time in the sun, so that
they do not become overheated. Remember that infants and
children will not be able to tell you if they are becoming dehydrated or are on
the verge of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, so learn to recognize the symptoms,
immediately.
Following these basic
guidelines should enable those with known heart disease, as well as those who
may not realize that they have heart disease, to live life more fully, even
when confronted with possible summer challenges like dehydration, heat
exhaustion and heat stroke.
Enjoy your summer!
For further information on this
topic, please see the following web sites, from which this information has been
derived.
http://www.medicinenet.com/dehydration/article.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment