Heat stroke, heat exhaustion

[azsnowman]

I can HONESTLY say yesterday was a CRAPPY day for me We are in the midst of one of the hottest summers I've ever experienced up here. At this altitude the UV rays are a KILLER. We were building a new flowerbed in preperation for our 4th of July BBQ (with over 30+ people expected) and I got physically SICK because of this record breaking heat and check THIS out....it's only supposed to get HOTTER!!

I'm fine today...just tired!

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapCli ... &map.y=195

[Stephanie]

I'm glad that you are fine now. You probably pushed yourself harder because of the BBQ and got sick because of it.

So far, we've had a few 90+ days, but then a WONDERFUL cool front will come through, bring us some much needed rain and create some spectacular weather for us. Low humidity, temps around 80 degrees and gorgeous blue skys. We've been VERY fortunate so far.

[CajunMama]

Watch that heat. Also if you are taking certain medications, the heat & sun can affect you more. One of my bp meds say to avoid long exposure to real & artificial sunlight. Maybe we're just getting old and can't take the heat anymore!

[Dionne]

Over heating physically can be dangerous. In my younger years it was no problem. Now at 55 years it is an entirely different deal. Learn to recognize the symptoms.....profuse sweating followed by no sweating at all....vision problems (what some guys call "seeing the monkeys jump")....when your outflow of water exceeds your intake no matter how much you consume.

Be careful. Force yourself to slow down. Find some shade. Get some of the big portable fans. Keep a wet towel around your neck. When the ambient gets into the high nineties.....just shutdown the job. On the really hot days.....start at sunrise and quit for the day when you notice the warning signals.

[azskyman]

Hi Dennis.... We sure are in a tough pattern, but hopefully the monsoon will begin to poke its nose your way first, and then to the valley floor thereafter.

We had outside work to do and errands to run on the weekend, and we finished those by 10 am both days. The rest of the day we didn't challenge ourselves and the heat.

The ones who get me are the bikers who are out in 110+ in riding gear and helmuts pushing themselves on a long ride across the city...or the runners who we see at that time of day. The intensity of the sun is at its peak now, so this is NOT the time to be challenging your heart and your physical strength against it!

This is a long string of 110+ right now, but the mornings are still cool. Monsoon will change all that. The highs will drop below 110, but the lows will jump up from the 70's to 80's and on some days 90 degrees!

Hope your BBQ is great for the food, but cool for the guests!

[Miss Mary]

Dennis - I am glad you are doing okay now. But heat exhaustion is very scary! I remember feeling this way during a few of my first trips to Florida - in late July. It was just too hot for me and here we were trying to get thru a day at Disney! We learned to slow down, sip water all day long, never soda or tea, just plain water. This is how I approach very hot wx now - water, lightweight clothing, slowing down and avoiding the mid day sun all helps.

Mary

[azsnowman]

Thanks gang and NO Cajunmama....It's NOT age related (sadly, it probably is!). Yes...I'm ALMOST positive it was my meds. I take a total of 4 per day and every single one has the sun warning!

I followed ALL of the rules of heat, wide brimmed hat, drank 24 ozs. of water every 30 minutes, took frequent breaks in the shade but still fell ill.

Steve, I got up at 0400 this a.m. (2 July), turned on the news and it was 90° in Phoenix!!! I DIE when it hits 85°!! We hit an unofficial high of 98° at the house yesterday and it's SUPPOSED to hit 100°+ on 4 July but as you said, the monsoon is on the horizon!

[Miss Mary]

It could be the meds Dennis. Sure sounds like you followed all the rules.

A pharmacist once told me to take Salt Pills when going to Florida. They help you retain water and not become hydrated. I did take them one of our trips but this was years ago. Did I notice a difference? Not much. I find that drinking water all day long is the key.

[Aslkahuna]

Salt Pills though are not a good idea when taking meds for BP like me (and yes, my meds also have the Sun warning). I do my outside work during low Sun periods (usually near sundown because getting me up around 5 AM is just not going to happen) and while it's light enough outside after sundown. Should be noted that many BP meds are diuretics so the risk of dehydration is amplified-also anything like alcohol should be avoided when out in high heat and that includes that cold beer since alkie dehydrates the bod also.

Steve

[Miss Mary]

asklkahuna - thank you. I didn't want everyone to think this was okay. I was much younger back then and only used them for one of our trips. After that I was careful to wear light colored, breathable clothing, sip water and stay in between 10 and 2! And I did survive.

[DaylilyDawn]

Dennis I am glad that you are feeling better. heat exhaustion is nothing to laugh at. I know, I suffered an attack of heat exhaustion last Aug when I passed out on my crossing duty one school day. I ended up in the ER getting re-hydrated . Since then I do not do any thing in the heat of the day, it can wait till late afternoon and sundown.
I take an insulated bag with a zip lock baggie of ice and water with a washcloth in it and a bottle of water that has a core of ice in it out with me on crossing duty now and I use the wash cloth to wipe my face and arms with a cool cloth. It helps to keep me cooler than if I didn't do it. Hopefully you will be able to do something like that when you are out doing things like that again.

[Miss Mary]

Daylilly - I saw several people walking around Epcot a few weeks ago, with hand sized white towels. They just kept wetting them and wearing them around either their necks or on top of their head. Mostly guys but that does sound like a good idea.

Lots of useful suggestions in this thread. Sorry this happened to you Dennis but your topic and incident was a timely reminder also to take extra care in very hot wx.

[CajunMama]

another good thing to use if you're going to be outside in the heat and sun is Florida Water. It's actually a cologne that you add to ice water. Dip your towel/washcloth in it and wipe your face, neck and arms with it. It can be found online, walgreens, albertsons, etc.

[MSRobi911]

Frick, who wants to put some water from a toilet on their face and hands???

ROFLMAO!!


Mary aka Flick!

[Cookiely]

Its that time of year. I was working in the yard for five hours and trying to drink enough fluids. I started vomiting. I've lived in Tampa all my life and had a bout of heat stroke when I was about eight, but I've never gotten sick like that. The heat index was about 100. I guess from now on no working in the yard after 11 in the morning. Sure missed everyone. My computer crashed and a very good friend bought me a new dell. They are such good people. I was a little depressed when my computer crashed, okay I was extremely depressed when it crashed, okay I was absolutely bonkers. I missed everyone here and the thought of going through hurricane season without your support was enough to make me howl.

[CajunMama]

What good friends you have cookiely. We're glad to have you back.

[DaylilyDawn]

Cookiely,
I am glad that you are back. I hope you will back up everything on your new computer. I had my computer Windows corrupted so badly by my daughter I couldn't even bring up Windows in Safe Mode. I ended up re-formating and reinstalling everything. I lost quite a bit of things and all my favorite places. I am glad that your friends thought so highly of you, we missed you while you were gone.

[Stephanie]

I'm glad that you're feeling better Cookie!

Welcome Back!

I remember when I was 15 or 16 I had a newpaper route (it only lasted 6 months - I HATED IT). Anyway, it was the middle of the summer and I felt my self getting nauseous and dizzy. I walked up to one of my customer's houses and knocked on the door. When she answered I asked if I could just cool off inside for a few minutes because I wasn't feeling well. I stumbled into her living room and tripped over a fan because by this time everything went black, but I gained consciousness right away. I layed on her couch for a while and sipped something cool to drink. I was able to resume delivering the papers about 45 minutes later and quickly went home after that. I never did tell my parents...

[Stephanie]

Yesterday the temperatures were quite pleasant - the low 80's and the dewpoint in the 50's. I was outside trimming shrubs, edging the lawn, etc. and I did start to feel nauseous and dizzy. I also had a headache. I sat down quite frequently and downed two cans of Ginger Ale. Luckily I do have alot of shade in my backyard but it surprised and concerned me that I did get so overheated on such a pleasant day.

[DaylilyDawn]

If you were a little dehydrated before you went outside that could have contributed to the onset of heat exhaustion Stephanie. I am glad that you were able to get into some shade and drink something. Carbonated beverages though aren't reccommended. Water is the best thing to drink.