Heat related illness prevention!

I hope that everyone reading is able to keep cool and hydrated today as temperature records fall around North America!

Heat strain can result in several heat related illnesses. Some of these are direct effects, and include:

heat exhaustion
syncope (fainting)
cramps
heat stroke
A heat stroke (or sun stroke) is a true medical emergency. Dial 911 immediately. During heat stroke the victim will have a body temperature that is above 40-41 °C, but they will have stopped sweating. They may also have:

a throbbing headache
dizziness
confusion
nausea
red, hot and dry skin
The longer a person's body temperature is above 40°C, the greater the likelihood that he/she will suffer permanent effects, or death. While waiting for the ambulance, sponge him/her down with cool water.

Exposure to heat can also cause health problems indirectly, such as through the increased work load on the heart. In extreme heat, your heart has to pump harder to get blood to your extremities, even when you are at rest, and may be pushed over its limits.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you need to be particularly careful, as you may be more susceptible to the effects of an extreme heat event. For example, if your heart does not work at full capacity, if you use certain drugs, or even if you are dehydrated, you may be at an increased risk.

During extreme heat, the most important thing is to keep cool and not expose yourself to heat stresses that will put a strain on your body.
At elevated temperatures, virtually all of your heat loss occurs through evaporation of perspiration (sweat) from your body. Anything that increases the rate of evaporation of sweat, such as personal cooling fans, is helpful.
You can also prepare your body for exposure to high heat by acclimatizing it. If you expose yourself to heat in a controlled way, for a few hours a day, then during the span of a week, your body can adjust. Of course, if you spend all of your time in an air-conditioned environment, your body will not adjust to heat.
To help protect yourself during an extreme heat event, take these steps:

Keep out of the sun. If your house is cooler than outdoors, stay inside.
If you must go outdoors into the sun, shade yourself with an umbrella or a wide-brimmed hat with lots of ventilation (to allow the sweat on your head to evaporate).
Drink lots of water (that's the best liquid). How much water you should drink depends on how much you're sweating. It might just be a cup or two an hour, or it may be several litres. Thirstiness is not a good gauge. It doesn't kick in until you've already lost enough water to contribute to heat strain.
If it is sunny, keep your house cooler, by pulling down awnings or closing outdoor shutters (if you have them) over your windows, or keep the curtains/blinds closed.
If you have a two-storey house, keep the upper-level windows slightly open, to draw excess heat up and out.
If your house is hot, try to spend a few hours in an air-conditioned space, such as a mall, or a formal cooling centre. In any case, make sure to rest in cool shade periodically.
Take a cool bath or shower.
At night, if the outdoor temperature is cooler, open all your windows. If you have fan units that fit into the windows, use them to bring down the temperature faster.
Use fans to evaporate sweat from your body and cool it. If the temperature and humidity are both very high, this may not be effective or may have the opposite effect.
Limit your physical activity, especially if you are in an at-risk group, and certainly during the middle of the day, when the heat is greatest.
Liquids that are high in sugar and/or alcohol should be avoided, as they can increase the amount of water lost by the body.
Most people's diets contain enough salt to make up for losses in sweat. But if you experience heat cramps, are advised by your doctor, or have to work in the heat and are sweating a lot you may want to take in extra salt.
If you take medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist for possible side effects during extreme heat.
Offer to help and check up on your neighbours, especially those who may be on their own and who may not be in a position to take these precautions.