Heat Stroke May Cause Death

As a former Nurse, and with personal experience with heat stroke, I write this article in the hopes it may save even one life.

My car’s air conditioner went out. I had no money to have it repaired. I drove at night from The Dessert in

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California to Texas to visit my family of origin.

After a few weeks, deciding to live in Texas again, I used a water spritzer bottle to spray myself often when I drove. I ate saltine crackers and drank plenty of gator aide and other cool drinks.

However, one day, I became ill with dizziness, nausea and fatigue. So I pullled into a parking lot and had them call an ambulance for me.

In your dwelling, make sure you are cool enough in the hot seasons. Fans with cooling rags or ice in front of them helps as does open windows at night.  Small air conditioners may be purchased and placed into windows.

Outdoor workers are prone to have heat exhaustion or heat stroke as are athletes or anyone who gets too much heat and sun.

Animals, the elderly and children never need be left in a car for the temperature is much higher and it is in fact illegal to do so. It is also illegal to keep a car running left unattended by the driver. It makes the car easier to steal and unsafe for children and the elderly.

Heat exhaustion has signs. They are heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps,weakness,fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, moist skin, cool skin, and a fast heartbeat also called a pulse.

If not treated or recognized, heat exhaustion may go into heat stroke which may cost you your life.

Heat exhaustion has the signs of fast heartbeat or pulse, mental changes like confusion, dry skin, lack of sweating and a high temperature. Heat exhaustion may go into seizures.Seizures need to be controlled with medications such as Depakote also known as Divalproex Sodium or Dilantin or one of the many prescription medications that control seizures. Uncontrolled seizures shorten your life span so it is best to see the doctor and get professional help. If you cannot afford it, call or go in and make out a payment schedule with their billing department.

Heat exhaustion needs to be treated by going into an air conditioned building, drinking non-alcoholic beverages (for these dehydrate the body), rest, cool baths,cool showers or a sponge bath and lightweight clothing and limit your time in the sun. Use umbrellas and make sure you do not become dehydrated. This means being low on fluids in your body and thirst tells us when we need to drink. Be careful though for each person and age group is different. There is such a thing as drinking too much fluids and this is dangerous.