It's not only our lawns that suffer during the summer heat. Each year in the United States, some 4,000 heat-related deaths are reported.
As it is possible that we'll experience another heat wave before summer's end, I asked Julius G. K. Goepp, M.D., assistant director of the Pediatric Emergency Department at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, for his advice about coping with the heat.
Q: What happens to our bodies when it gets very hot?
When the temperature outside is cooler than our body temperature, heat is drawn naturally from the body to the cooler air around it. When outside temperatures are greater than our body temperature, our body heat is dissipated through perspiration. What made the recent heat wave so uncomfortable was the extremely high humidity, which prevented us from cooling through perspiration as efficiently as we normally do. When this happens, we are vulnerable to heat illness.
Q: What is heat illness?
A: There are three main kinds of heat illness.
Most common and least serious is heat cramps. We've all probably experienced these after running or some other strenuous activity in the heat. The cramps are caused by salt loss and excessive sweating.
Heat exhaustion is of greater concern. This is generally caused by dehydration or loss of water. Symptoms include thirst, headache, confusion or disorientation -- especially among the elderly -- and lethargy, which is typical in children.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. It happens when all the body's mechanisms for reducing heat fail to work properly. Symptoms include hot dry skin, a very high fever and anything from headache/dizziness and confusion to seizures, convulsions and paralysis.
Q: Who is most at risk?
The very young and the very old are particularly vulnerable. People who work outside such as roofers and road workers and people with medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis or heart disease should also be careful in the heat.
Q: What can I do to help someone suffering from heat illness?
AA: Heat cramps can be eased by rest, cooling off, drinking plenty of fluids and eating salty food such as potato chips or pretzels.
If someone is suffering from heat exhaustion, the first thing to do is to get him or her into an air-conditioned room or at least into the shade, loosen the clothing and give lots of water and salty foods. Don't use ice, as this can cause the body temperature to rise even further from shivering. Gradual cooling is what you should aim for.
