Alliance Physical Therapy is concerned with the health and wellness of the community and would like to remind people to avoid staying out too long in the hot summer sun.  Individuals most susceptible to heat exhaustion are the elderly, people with high blood pressure and people working or exercising in a hot environment.

Heat exhaustion can be defined as the overheating of the body due to excessive loss of water and is caused by prolonged exposures to hot temperatures, limited fluid and/or insufficient dietary salt intake.  Signs and symptoms may include muscle cramps, intense thirst, excessive sweating, dizziness, fatigue, headache, rapid breathing, nausea or vomiting.  When left untreated heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which occurs when the body's cooling system breaks down.  When body temperature surpasses 105° Fahrenheit, the brain and organ systems begin to die.  Signs and symptoms of heat stroke are lack of sweating, hot, dry flushed skin, high body temperature, very rapid or very slow heartbeat, confusion or disorientation, loss of consciousness or seizure.

Some tips to help prevent overheating problems are to drink plenty of fluids, replace salt and minerals, and to wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen.  Also, be careful if you are ill or are on certain medications, adjust yourself to the environment, stay indoors and use common sense.  Coaches can also take precautions during hot practice sessions by providing athletes with plenty of water breaks, allowing cool-off sessions, and modifying practice lengths and exercises appropriately.  Remember, heat exhaustion is 100% preventable and Alliance Physical Therapy is concerned with your health and well-being, so stay cool!

Yours in health,

Kelsey Eitel, SPT