Do you know the signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion? How to stay safe
Here's a look at how to stay safe and how to recognize symptoms of heat-related illnesses.
Older people and young children are most at risk during extreme heat events. To stay safe and prepared, here's what the experts suggest:Stay hydrated and avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks
Electric fans may not provide relief; instead, take a cooling shower or bath and find an air-conditioned spaceReduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities
Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods like fruits or saladChoose lightweight, loose-fitting clothes
Head to a public library or other space with air conditioning
Three main heat-related illnesses to be on the lookout for are heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
If any of the following symptoms are evident in you or another person: move to a cooler area, loosen any clothing and sip cool water. Seek a medical professional if any of the symptoms don't improve within an hour.
Heat cramps may be the first sign of illness that could lead to more serious symptoms. Cramps shows up as painful muscle cramps or spasms along with heavy sweating, according to NWS. Use firm pressure on the cramping muscles and massage them gently.
Heat exhaustion will show up as heavy sweating, weakness or tiredness with cool and clammy skin. The person's pulse may be quick but weak and they may exhibit dizziness or nausea. Immediately move the person to an air-conditioned room, loosen clothing and apply cool, wet cloth to the skin.
Heat stroke needs immediate medical attention, so call 9-1-1 or get the patient to a hospital. Heat stroke can appear as throbbing headaches, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperatures above 103 degrees. The patient's skin can also appear red with a lack of sweat. This is a serious illness and delays in medical care can be fatal.
Groups that may be particularly vulnerable to heat include:
Young children and infants
Older adults
People with chronic medical conditions
Pregnant women
It is never safe to leave a child, disabled person or pet locked in a car. For more information about how cars can heat up quickly when left in the sun, check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website in both English and Spanish.
While this applies all year round, it is especially important on warm or hot summer days.
Every year, hundreds of pets die from heat exhaustion because they are left in parked vehicles, according to the American Veterinarian Medical Association. The temperature inside a vehicle can rise almost 20° F in just 10 minutes, and almost 30° F in 20 minutes.
The longer a pet, child or person is inside a car turned off in the heat, the higher it goes.
At one hour, your vehicle's inside temperature can be more than 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. Even on a 70-degree day, that's 110 degrees inside a car.
Story continues after photo gallery.
Para residentes hispanohablantes en Indiana, IndyStar tiene una página web de recursos para el tiempo en Español. La página web es accesible aquí y visite weather.gov/ind/espanol a encontrar el pronóstico del tiempo diario, condiciones próximas e información adicional de seguridad.
Para información sobre el preveción de muertes por calor extremo y más visite nhtsa.gov/es.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Heat stroke symptoms and how to stay safe during Kentucky heat wave
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