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Ala. (WSFA) – With extreme heat <a href="https://healthylife7.com/social-security-added-14-conditions-to-its-disability-list-are-you-eligible/” title=”Social Security added 14 conditions to its disability list. Are you eligible?”>conditions on the way, the Alabama Department of Public Health is urging people to be on the lookout for any signs of heat-related illnesses
These include heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which are also the more common heat-related illnesses
Anyone exposed to high temperatures or extreme heat can experience symptoms when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded
Heat cramps include pains or spasms (abdomen, arms or legs), profuse sweat, and high concentration in the sweat
Heat exhaustion is associated with heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, or vomiting and fainting. Other symptoms could be cool and moist skin, a fast and weak pulse rate, fast and shallow breathing, or irritability
Older adults with high blood pressure and those who work in hot environments are prone to heat exhaustion. If heat exhaustion is not treated, it may progress to a heatstroke
Heat stroke or sun stroke is the most serious heat-related illness and may occur when the body is unable to control its temperature. Your body temperature could rise to 106 degrees F or higher within 10-15 minutes
Signs of heat stroke could include an extremely high body temperature, red, hot and dry or moist skin, rapid, strong pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, dehydration, combativeness or confusion, and unconsciousness. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and even with immediate treatment, it can be life-threatening or cause serious long-term problems
Alabama Health officials also recommend that people drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol or caffeinated drinks to prevent dehydration, and to stay in air-conditioned rooms
They also ask that you keep out of the sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat, light-colored and loose-fitting clothes, use sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher, take cool showers or baths and reduce or eliminate demanding activities during the hottest times of the day
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