WE’RE HAVING A HEAT WAVE… BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER

We’re havin’ a Heat Wave…. This post is not cleaning related, but we want to make sure our friends, family, employees, and fans are staying safe this summer and are finding safe ways to beat the heat.

There’s no denying it – living in St. Louis (and, apparently pretty much everywhere else in the U.S. this year) means you’re going to be hot, hot, hot in the summer. This year, after a deceptively warm winter and cool spring, summer has come on like an oven set to “broil.” With temperatures predicted to be over 100 degrees many days this summer, it pays to know how to play in the heat without paying severe consequences.

Heat exhaustion, and its more serious counterpart heat stroke, can easily be prevented with some advance planning. The first decision is whether being outside is even a good idea, or if staying indoors in air conditioning makes the most sense. For people who are elderly or have health issues, the risk of spending considerable time in oppressive summer heat may be too great. Evaluate this carefully.

The next consideration is hydration. You simply cannot drink enough water when temperatures rise. You will perspire out the water in your system naturally – and at a faster rate if you’re being physically active – than you would on cooler days. Keep water handy. Do bear in mind, however, that too much water will eventually flush out life-giving electrolytes (sodium, potassium and magnesium), which can leave you feeling cranky and dealing with muscle cramps. In fact, cramps are a reliable signal that you’ve reached your heat limit and need to move indoors – stat. To replenish electrolytes, consider alternating water with a sports drink. This will balance your body and stave off heat-related problems – at least for a time.

If you spend too long in the heat, especially without proper hydration, your body will eventually respond by heating up. A dangerous sign of impending heat stroke is the absence of sweat. When the body stops sweating, it’s denied its natural ability to cool. Your body becomes similar to a pressure cooker, which when it can’t release its steam it eventually boils over or explodes. While you won’t explode, your body will respond to the inability to release excess heat by raising the internal temperature. When your body reaches 106 degrees F, you’re in a clear danger zone. At that temp, your brain could literally be fried causing brain damage. Without proper intervention, your body will eventually stop functioning and you will die. If you suspect someone you’re with is in this danger zone, get them to an emergency room quickly.

Heat exhaustion is less severe, but has its own consequences. Characterized by lethargy, loss of muscle function or cramps and fainting, heat exhaustion can be reversed by moving to a cool area and replenishing the electrolytes lost. Applying cool towels to the head, arms and legs can begin to cool the body from the outside in. Rest is paramount as you regain your strength after an episode.

It should be noted that an occurrence of heat stroke or exhaustion will likely make you more susceptible in the future, so additional precautions and preplanning should become part of your summer regimen should you succumb to either of these this year.

So remember….

  • Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
  • Don’t stay out in the heat too long
  • Stay in the shade, if possible
  • Monitor your perspiration rate
  • Pay attention to signals you’ve had too much heat, such as cramping and muscle weakness and foggy thinking
  • Avoid the consumption of alcohol or caffeine since both rob the body of necessary fluids
  • Replenish lost fluids by alternating water with sports drinks

These simple steps will have you enjoying this and many more summers to come