Heat exhaustion can sneak up on anyone if they ignore the symptoms that lead up to it. With as quick as it can happen, it’s just as easily avoidable. Here are a few signs to keep an eye out for and stop heat exhaustion in its tracks.

Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Confusion

• Dark-colored urine (a sign of dehydration)

• Dizziness

• Fainting

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Muscle or abdominal cramps

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

• Pale skin

• Profuse sweating

• Rapid heartbeat

Cooldown

If you or anyone you know begin to suffer any of these symptoms, immediately take them to a cool area and start working to cool their body off. Bring them to an air-conditioned room, a shaded area, a cool bath or shower, or have them sit down in front of a fan.

If symptoms don’t seem to improve in 10-15 minutes, immediately seek emergency medical care as untreated heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke.

Heatstroke may lead to complications, such as:

• Damage to critical bodily organs

• Death

Heat exhaustion correlates with the heat index, which is how hot you feel when humidity and air temperature are combined. Higher levels of moisture hamper your body’s ability to evaporate sweat off the skin, how your body cools itself.

Heat exhaustion risk rises as temperatures reach about 90 degrees and higher. So it is essential to pay attention to upcoming weather patterns and take necessary precautions for, especially hot days.

Prevent heat-related illnesses by taking these steps:

• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing, that has plenty of room for your skin to breathe.

• Wear SPF 30 sunscreen or better.

• Drink plenty of fluids (water, juice, sports drinks). Dehydration will amplify the effects of heat exposure. 

• Drink plenty of water before, during, and after activities.

• Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol. Both of these substances make you lose more fluids.

• Take regular breaks to cool off.

Heatwaves don’t need to mean that you can’t enjoy the outdoors. With some easy precautionary steps to prepare your body and your surroundings, you can get any projects done or just plain have fun. Stay cool, and stay safe.

If you or a loved one is experiencing heat exhaustion or heat stroke symptoms, drop by one of our 10 locations, or click here to schedule a Telemedicine appointment.

The post Don’t Let Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke Take the Fun Out of Summer appeared first on Quick Med Care.

Work it Out

There aren’t many activities that double as a low-impact work-out regimen and provide you with some healthy subsistence to keep you going. Gardening offers plenty of both.

Between the squatting down, the pulling of weeds, and kneading the soil, your body gets plenty of movement to get your blood pumping. You don’t even realize all the work that goes into maintaining the garden until you feel it in your muscles by the end of the day.

Getting in some time in your garden gives you 1.5-2 hours of physical activity a week, which goes a long way. There’s always plenty of upkeep to do; between the soil, weeding, watering and checking on your little growing seedlings.

Healthy Eating

Maintaining a garden guarantees you know exactly what you’re eating when it comes time for harvest. There’s no need to worry about what pesticides or other chemicals are being used. Plus, you get to grow what you want to eat and get plenty of it.

Nothing tastes better than produce grown with your hard work. You end up eating more vegetables and fruits, which is never a bad thing. Vegetables picked when ripe have more nutrients, unlike some store-bought vegetables that are picked early.

Top off your gardening with some vitamin D from your time in the sun and an increase of dopamine from spending time in your garden, and you’re looking at some great benefits. It reduces stress while being a physically challenging yet enjoyable activity.

Staying Safe in the Sun

While you sit out in your garden soaking in the sunshine and tilling to your garden, it’s important to remember to keep yourself safe: apply sunscreen regularly, use insect repellent, and wear a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off your face.

Wear gardening gloves to reduce rashes, cuts, and chemicals from getting on your hands as you work in your soil. If you end up using any machinery or power tools, make sure you wear safety goggles, sturdy shoes, and long pants.

When using any tools or chemicals, make sure you follow the instructions and heed any warnings. Keep your tools sharp, and out of the reach of children.

Drink plenty of fluids, take breaks often, and pay attention to sign of any heat-related illnesses. The last thing you want is for your relaxing day of gardening to take a turn for the worst.

Gardening is a great relaxing activity if you are prepared and have the right mindset. Plus, it can be great fun getting the whole family involved.

If you happen to overdo it while gardening, whether it’s muscle strain, heatstroke, or insect bites, please drop by one of our locations, or click here to schedule a Telemedicine visit.

The post Tips for Happy & Healthy Gardening appeared first on Quick Med Care.

Sometimes, however, we can’t sweat fast enough. This might be caused by hot, humid temperatures, dehydration, wearing too much clothing for conditions, or as a side-effect from alcohol or prescription drug use.
Any elevated temperatures puts us at risk, but any time the heat index reaches over 90 degrees, the risks for heat-related illness increases dramatically.

When we begin to get too warm, our blood rushes to our skin to cool us, taking blood away from our brain, muscles, and organs. This can leave us feeling faint and disoriented, some early warning signs of heat-related illness.

Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Feeling faint or confused
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Muscle cramps
• Excessive sweating
• Headache
• Dark-colored urine
• A drop in blood pressure
• A low-grade fever

Certain groups are more susceptible to heat exhaustion:

• Overweight individuals
• Those with certain health conditions, or with weakened immune systems
• The very young or the very old
• Those taking certain medications
• Individuals who work in the heat all day – such as on construction sites or in hot factories

Most heat exhaustion can be handled without seeking medical attention, if caught early and if symptoms are addressed.

Remedies for heat exhaustion include:

• Move to shade or an air-conditioned location
• Apply a cool compress or ice pack to the back of the neck, under the arms, or behind the knees
• Run cool water over the body
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Rest with feet elevated above heart level
• Remove excess clothing

Most people recover quickly and completely from heat exhaustion, however, if symptoms do not improve within 15 minutes of administering treatment, seek Quick Care Med’s assistance, as the you might be experiencing a heat stroke.
Heat stroke is a serious medical condition in which the body’s core temperature reaches an excess of 103 degrees. Heat stroke can result in permanent brain or organ damage if not treated immediately. Those who have suffered from a heat-related illness will likely be more susceptible to high temperatures for about a week, so it is important to stay hydrated and avoid heat as much as possible during that time.

Anyone can experience heat exhaustion, so symptoms should not be ignored. If you are in doubt whether you are experiencing heat exhaustion or a heat stroke, visit your closest Quick Care Med.

The post Heat Exhaustion – A Real Possibility in Florida appeared first on Quick Med Care.