City of Marquette, Michigan News Story

MGH EMS, Marquette General EMS, Bell EMS, Bell Memorial
EMS, Bell Hospital, Bell Hospital Ambulance, Ishpeming
Ambulance, Marquette, MI Ishpeming, MI, Gwinn, MI,
Negaunee, MI. In an emergency in Marquette County
Michigan (MI) you should dial 911 and ask for MediRide
EMS. MGH EMS, Marquette General EMS, Bell EMS, Bell
Memorial EMS, Bell Hospital, Bell Hospital Ambulance,
Ishpeming Ambulance, Marquette, MI Ishpeming, MI, Gwinn,
MI, Negaunee, MI. In an emergency in Marquette County
Michigan (MI) you should dial 911 and ask for MediRide
EMS.

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Heat Related Emergencies Can Be Avoided

(Marquette, MI) - Everyone loves summer and the warmer
temperatures it brings. When the thermometer goes up, many of us
in the U.P. head outdoors for some fun in the sun.

With the increased sunshine and the increased temperatures we've
been recently seeing, can come a range of heat-related health
problems. With these simple tips, you can learn how best to watch for
and avoid potential heat-related health problems.

Important Terms To Know & Understand

Heat wave: Prolonged period of excessive heat and humidity.
The National Weather Service steps up its procedures to alert
the public during these periods of excessive heat and humidity.
Heat index: A number in degrees Fahrenheit (F) that tells how
hot it really feels when relative humidity is added to the actual
air temperature. Exposure to full sunshine can increase the
heat index by 15 degrees F.
Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms
due to heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least
severe, they are an early signal that the body is having trouble
with the heat.
Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people
exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids
are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin
increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs.
This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim
may suffer heat stroke.
Heat stroke: Heat stroke is life threatening. The victim's
temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool
the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high
that brain damage and death may result if the body is not
cooled quickly.
Sunstroke: Another term for heat stroke.

If A Heat wave is Predicted or is Happening

Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day,
which is usually in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Stay indoors as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the
sunshine. Try to go to a public building with air conditioning each day for several hours. Remember, electric fans
do not cool the air, but they do help sweat evaporate, which cools your body.
Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy.
Drink plenty of water regularly and often. Your body needs water to keep cool.
Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty.
Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They
can make you feel good briefly, but make the heat's effects on your body worse. This is especially true about
beer, which dehydrates the body.
Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat.
Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.

SIGNALS OF HEAT EMERGENCIES

Heat exhaustion: Cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; heavy
sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and
exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
Heat stroke: Hot, red skin; changes in consciousness;
rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body
temperature can be very high-- as high as 105 degrees F. If
the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin
may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry.

TREATMENT OF HEAT EMERGENCIES

Heat cramps: Get the person to a cooler place and have
him or her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the
affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a half glass of
cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids with
alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can make conditions
worse.
Heat exhaustion: Get the person out of the heat and into a
cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply
cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is
conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the person
drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15
minutes. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine.
Let the victim rest in a comfortable position, and watch
carefully for changes in his or her condition.
Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. Help
is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.
Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body.
Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around
the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing
problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool
the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is
vomiting or there are changes in the level of
consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

These tips should not be used in place of proper advice from your physician. If you feel that you are
experiencing a heat-related emergency and need immediate medical attention, dial 9-1-1 and request a
MediRide ambulance be sent to your location.

*SOURCE: www.redcross.org