Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) is alerting people not to overlook the risks that come with a heatwave.<\/p>\n
The main risks that a heatwave poses to life are:<\/strong><\/p> \u2022 Dehydration.<\/p>\n \u2022 Overheating.<\/p>\n \u2022 Heat exhaustion.<\/p>\n \u2022 Heat stroke.<\/p>\n Dehydration:<\/strong><\/p>\n Definition: A deficit of total body water, with an accompanying disruption of metabolic processes. It occurs when free water loss exceeds free water intake, usually due to exercise, disease, or high environmental temperature.<\/p>\n The most common warning signs and symptoms of dehydration include:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Dry skin.<\/p>\n \u2022 Dry mouth. As an early sign.<\/p>\n \u2022 Sleepiness.<\/p>\n \u2022 Thirst. As an early sign.<\/p>\n \u2022 Decreased urination.<\/p>\n \u2022 Muscle weakness.<\/p>\n \u2022 Fatigue.<\/p>\n \u2022 Headaches.<\/p>\n Treatment of dehydration:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Get the affected person to rest in the shade, dress lightly and in brighter colours.<\/p>\n \u2022 Help them to sit down and give them plenty of water to drink. Avoid too many carbonated drinks.<\/p>\n \u2022 Giving them an oral rehydration solution to drink will help replace salt and other minerals which they\u2019ve lost \u2013 you can buy the solution in sachets from any pharmacy.<\/p>\n \u2022 If they have any painful cramps, encourage them to rest, help them stretch and massage the muscles that hurt.<\/p>\n \u2022 Keep checking how they\u2019re feeling \u2013 if they still feel unwell once they\u2019re rehydrated then encourage them to see a doctor straight away.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Look after yourself and others in the heat<\/a><\/p>\n Take care in hot weather conditions<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Heat exhaustion:<\/strong><\/p>\n Definition: Heat exhaustion is a condition whose symptoms may include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse, a result of the body overheating. It’s one of three heat-related syndromes, with heat cramps being the mildest and heatstroke being the most severe.<\/p>\n Common signs and symptoms include the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Confusion.<\/p>\n \u2022 Dark coloured urine.<\/p>\n \u2022 Dizziness.<\/p>\n \u2022 Fainting.<\/p>\n \u2022 Fatigue.<\/p>\n \u2022 Headaches.<\/p>\n \u2022 Muscular or abdominal cramps.<\/p>\n \u2022 Nausea and vomiting or diarrhoea.<\/p>\n \u2022 Pale skin.<\/p>\n \u2022 Profuse sweating.<\/p>\n \u2022 Rapid pulse rate.<\/p>\n Treatment of heat exhaustion:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 It is essential to get out of the heated environment and rest. Preferably in an air-conditioned room or shady place.<\/p>\n \u2022 Drink plenty of fluids, especially sports drinks to replace lost salt. Avoid caffeine and alcoholic drinks.<\/p>\n \u2022 Remove any tight or unnecessary clothing.<\/p>\n \u2022 Take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath.<\/p>\n \u2022 Apply other cooling measures such as using a fan or a wet towel.<\/p>\n It is important to note that if such measures fail within 15 minutes, you must seek emergency medical intervention because if left untreated heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke.<\/p>\n Heat stroke:<\/strong><\/p>\n Definition: Heat stroke, also known as sun stroke, is a type of severe heat illness that results in a body temperature greater than 40\u00b0C.<\/p>\n Signs and symptoms of heat stroke:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Dizziness or light-headedness.<\/p>\n \u2022 Seizures or coma.<\/p>\n \u2022 Nausea and vomiting.<\/p>\n \u2022 Flushed and reddened skin.<\/p>\n \u2022 Slurred speech.<\/p>\n \u2022 Agitation.<\/p>\n \u2022 Disorientation.<\/p>\n \u2022 Delirium.<\/p>\n \u2022 Unconsciousness.<\/p>\n It is important to note that heat stroke is a serious medical condition that can lead to organ failure and even death.<\/p>\n Treatment of heat stroke:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Prompt cooling will bring core body temperature and the brain back to normality within an hour. Use cold water immersion.<\/p>\n \u2022 Seek prompt medical intervention as soon as possible.<\/p>\n \u2022 Avoid sugary, sweetened drinks, alcohol and caffeine because they will cause increased urination and electrolyte loss.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t wait until you are thirsty to start drinking water.<\/p>\n By then, you are already becoming dehydrated and putting yourself at risk of heat stroke.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Also follow us on:<\/p>\n
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