Dehydration, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke: Take steps to prevent them.

Dehydration, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke are always a concern when you visit a hot, dry or humid climate. Take a little time before you depart and learn how you can prevent these potentially life threatening problems from destroying your vacation.

Learn About Your Vacation Destination Before Your Departure

Find out about:

• the average daily temperatures

• humidity rates

DEHYDRATION

When normal healthy people are overexposed to the sun and do not drink enough water, they can become “dehydrated”. They lose more water and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, bicarbonate and phosphate) than they replace.

Losing water reduces the blood volume; and what remains is preferentially distributed to the vital organs like the brain, heart and kidneys at the expense of the skin, salivary glands and muscles.

Water loss is one of the primary causes of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.


Symptoms

• Thirst

• Less-frequent urination

• Dry skin

• Fatigue

• Lightheadedness

• Dizziness

• Confusion

• Dry mouth

• Increased heart rate

• Increased breathing


Treatment

• Carry water with you when you are sightseeing

• Drink plenty of fluids – one litre of water every 2-3 hours.

• Seek medical attention for moderate and serious cases.

Prevention

• Visit a travel clinic before departing on vacation.

• Drink plenty of fluids (take in more than you lose)

• Replace your depleted fluids and electrolytes. Use a prepackaged oral rehydration solution

• Stay in the shade





HEAT EXHAUSTION

Heat Exhaustion, also known as heat prostration, occurs when the body does not sweat fast enough to dissipate heat.

Loss of water reduces the blood volume; and what remains is preferentially distributed to the vital organs. Skin is not a vital organ. Less blood to skin means less water is available as sweat. When there is no perspiration, there is nothing to evaporate into the air and therefore nothing to draw heat from the body. Body temperature therefore rises. The regulatory mechanism for temperature controlled by the brain is still in place however.

Higher humidity in the environment makes it more difficult for sweat to evaporate.

Causes of Heat Exhaustion

• Exposure to the sun for too long

• Not drinking enough fluids

Symptoms

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Fatigue

• Weakness

• Headache

• Muscle cramps

• dizziness



Prevention

• Visit a travel clinic before departing on vacation.

• Drink plenty of fluids (take in more than you lose)

• Stay in the shade as much as possible.

• Wear light, loose fitting clothing and a wide brimmed hat.

• Avoid strenuous exercise

Treatment

• Cool down in the shade or in an air conditioned room; or sit in front of a fan.

• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated.

• Replenish electrolytes using oral rehydration salts.

• Change into light clothing.

• Take a cool bath

• Elevate your feet.

• If symptoms don’t improve within an hour, call for a doctor.





HEAT STROKE

Heat exhaustion progresses to heat stroke when body temperature rises to critical levels – usually in very hot surroundings. The regulatory mechanism for temperature, controlled by the brain, stops working.

Heat stroke is can be fatal.

Symptoms

• High body temperature

• Absence of sweating

• Hot red or flushed skin

• Rapid pulse

• Difficulty breathing

• Hallucinations

• Confusion

• Strange behaviour

• Agitation

• Disorientation

• Seizure

• Coma

• Death

Prevention

• Visit a travel clinic before departing on vacation.

• Drink plenty of fluids (take in more than you lose) to avoid becoming dehydrated.

• Stay in the shade as much as possible.

• Wear light, loose fitting clothing and a wide brimmed hat.

• Avoid strenuous exercise

Treatment

Heat stroke is a medical emergency.

• Seek immediate medication attention.

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