Don't Let Heat Exhaustion Ruin Your Summer Fun!

As a camp nurse during the months of July, August and early September ,one big concern involved keeping the campers safe and healthy was making sure everyone knew the dangers involved with the combination of summer head and high humidity.

While outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, and ball games are an expected part of summer camp experiences, there are an average of 400 heat related deaths reported each year. Extreme summer heat and humidity can turn a fun filled camp adventure into a miserable experience if staff or campers experience health troubles brought on by to much hot summer sun!

To make sure to much sun didn't ruin the camping fun for anyone, I shared information with the camp staff about -The Dangers of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke. The best precaution to use in preventing these problems is knowing the signs and symptoms of both and what to do about them.

Heat Exhaustion occurs as a result of loss of fluid through excessive sweating when not enough fluid is taken in. Since our bodies often don't signal the need for fluid until dehydration has already occured, prevention is the key. Drink frequently before you begin to feel thirsty! Most people fail to realize the ability to sweat is the body's way to compensate for heat and regulate your internal core temperature. Unless you are careful to replace fluids lost by sweating, you run the risk of heat exhaustion or even heat stroke. If you are still sweating but begin experiencing other troubling symptoms, get in a cool place and drink adequate fluids immediately. Plain water is a good choice, electrolyte balanced drinks are also good choices but should not be used exclusively when water is readily available.

Signs and Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion include- Excessive sweating,extreme sudden weakness,fatigue,nausea with or without vomiting and headaches. The person suffering from heat exhaustion may also be pale or flushed with clammy moist skin. If adequate fluid intake isn'tand rest in a cool place isn't begun immediately they may go onto experiencing dizziness, lightheadedness, dark scanty urine output and fainting.