Did you know that heat exhaustion and dehydration due to heat are among the leading weather-related killers in the United States? The last three major heat waves on record claimed more than 52,000 lives combined – so these phenomena are nothing to take lightly. In honor of National Heat Awareness Day, we’re doing our part by reminding you how to stay cool as temperatures begin to heat up.
What is Heat Exhaustion?
It’s a condition that puts a number of symptoms on display as a result of exposure to high temperatures and strenuous physical activity.
Some of the symptoms include an increase in heart rate, cramps, heavy sweating, dizziness, fatigue, low blood pressure, nausea and headaches.
What Causes These Conditions?
You probably know that your body works hard to maintain its normal core temperature of approximately 98.6°F.
However, when you participate in physical activity and combine your body’s heat gain with extreme temperatures, it can make the situation much worse.
But, that’s not the only thing that can cause heat exhaustion…
Dehydration, alcohol use and overdressing can also make matters worse. So, what can you do to stay cool?
- Stay hydrated. You should be drinking roughly 6-8 cups of water each day, but it’s a good idea to throw in a few extra glasses on extremely hot days.
- Avoid alcohol. Alcohol is a major dehydrating agent so avoid drinking alcoholic beverages on hot days.
- Cut caffeine. Caffeine is similar to alcohol when it comes to causing dehydration so keep those cups of coffee or tea to a minimum.
- A/C is key. Try spending as much time as possible in an air conditioned environment. Avoid spending long periods of time outdoors in the heat.
Having issues with your home’s cooling system? At Levine & Sons we provide high quality, dependable service and repair for all makes and models of Air conditioning systems. Our technicians are NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certified and expertly trained, which means you get only the best prepared and most professional service technicians in Michigan. Call us today!