“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The St. Louis City Health Department reported four additional heat-related illnesses for Tuesday, July 12 and all were due to outside exposure.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>One of the preventive measures you are urged to do when temperatures soar in order to stay safe, cool and to beat the heat and humidity is to drink plenty of fluids, like water (not containing alcohol of caffeine).
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>However, if you spend any extended time in the heat outdoors, electrolyte replacement is important. You can’t get electrolytes in plain old water.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“If you are outdoors in the heat & you are in the heat sweating more than an hour –you need an electrolyte fluid like a Gator-Ade in addition to the water,” says Mary VanKirk, RN, chief clinical officer at St. Louis ConnectCare.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>She says some medicines, like diuretics, used for controlling blood pressure, already take excess fluids out of the body. That combined with fluid lost in the heat can be a dangerous combination. “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>VanKirk reminds everyone to limit the amount of time they spend in the heat; stay in the air condition as much as possible and yes, drink plenty of fluids.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>She says there are signs to look for if a person is suffering from early stage heat exhaustion.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“If they stop sweating; if they start vomiting; and if you notice a change in mental state or confusion, you want to get them out of the heat and get help to them immediately – perhaps the ER or urgent care center,” VanKirk says.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Get the person into a cool, shaded area and give something cool to drink if he/she is conscious.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>VanKirk says if the signs are severe –emergency department treatment is vital. Call 911.Heat exhaustion, heat cramps can turn into heat stroke, which can be disabling or deadly. “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>For more information, visit
“mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;”>http://tinyurl.com/HeatFAQ-CDC.
