Heat Exhaustion & Heat Stroke Sweat evaporates from the skin to cool the body. If this personal cooling system does not work right or fails to work, heat exhaustion or a heat stroke can occur. Heat exhaustion is a warning that the body is getting too hot. With a heat stroke, body organs start to overheat. They will stop working if they get hot enough. If it is not treated, a heat stroke can result in death. Signs & Symptoms For a Heat Stroke These signs and symptoms can occur suddenly with little warning: Very high temperature (104ºF or higher). Hot, dry, red skin. No sweating. Deep breathing and fast pulse. Then shallow breathing and weak pulse. Confusion. Hallucinations. Convulsions. Loss of consciousness. For Heat Exhaustion Normal, low, or only slightly elevated body temperature. Cool, clammy, pale skin. Sweating. Dry mouth. Thirst. Fatigue. Weakness. Feeling dizzy. Headache. Nausea. Vomiting can occur. Muscle cramps. Weak or rapid pulse. Causes Anything that keeps the body's natural cooling system from working right can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. This includes: Extreme heat and humidity. Being in places without fans or air conditioners during hot, humid weather. Not being able to get to public air-conditioned places. Waiting for a bus or other type of public transportation in hot, humid weather. Overdressing. Changes in the skin due to aging. Poor circulation. Heart, lung, and/or kidney disease. Not being able to sweat due to medicines, such as water pills and some used for mental illnesses. Alcohol or drug use. Any illness that causes weakness, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Treatment A heat stroke is a medical emergency. Heat exhaustion may respond to self-care measures. If not, medical care is needed. Before Emergency Care Arrives Move the person to a cool place indoors or under a shady tree. Place the feet higher than the head to avoid shock. Remove clothing. Either wrap the person in a cold, wet sheet; sponge the person with towels or sheets that are soaked in cold water; or spray the person with cool water. Fan the person. Put ice packs or cold compresses on the neck, under the armpits, and on the groin area. Once the person's temperature gets to 101ºF, place him or her in the Recovery Position. Do not lower the temperature further. Don't give fever reducing medicine. Don't use rubbing alcohol. First Aid for Heat Exhaustion Move to a cool place indoors or in the shade. Lie down. Loosen clothing. Drink fluids, such as cool or cold water. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to 1 quart of water. Sip this. Or, drink sport drinks, such as Gatorade, etc. Have salty foods, such as saltine crackers, if you tolerate them. Massage and stretch cramped muscles. Prevention Drink lots of liquids, especially if your urine is dark yellow. Drink water, sport drinks, such as Gatorade, etc. Do not stay in or leave anyone in a closed, parked car during hot weather. Don't have drinks with alcohol or caffeine. Use caution when you are in the sun. At the first sign of heat exhaustion, get out of the sun. If you can, avoid midday heat. Do not do vigorous activity during the hottest part of the day (11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Wear light, loose-fitting clothing, such as cotton, so sweat can evaporate. Wear a wide-brimmed hat with vents. Use an umbrella for shade. If you feel very hot, try to cool off. Open a window. Use a fan. Go to an air-conditioned place. Check with your doctor about sun exposure if you take: Water pills. Mood-altering medicines. Some antibiotics, such as tetracycline.
What is Heartburn ? Heartburn, Symptoms, Causes and Remedies Heartburn sometimes referred to as acid reflux is a burning pain in the chest, just behind the breastbone. The pain is often worse when lying down or bending over or throat. Normally when you swallow, a band of muscle around the bottom of the esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into the stomach. Then the muscle tightens again. If the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes abnormally or weakens, stomach acid can flow back up into the esophagus (acid reflux) and cause heartburn. In other words, heartburn occurs when acid, which normally resides in the stomach escapes back up into the oesophagus (food pipe). Because the oesophagus is not as well protected as the stomach the acid can irritate the lining which can cause painful symptoms that can last for a few minutes or a few hours. The condition is common and affects many people.Heartburn occurs more often in males and in people over the age of 40 years. Heartburn that occurs more than twice a week may be a sign of Gastroesophageal reflux disease. (Acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease are closely related, but the terms don't necessarily mean the same thing. Acid reflux is the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus while GERD, is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach. Someone can have GERD without having heartburn) Symptoms of Heartburn Symptoms of heartburn usually consist of a sensation of burning or discomfort after eating, located in the middle of the lower chest underneath the breastbone. Some people also experience a bitter or acidic taste in the back of the throat and feeling of sickness. The discomfort may increase when bending over or lying flat on the back. Some people have difficulty swallowing or feeling like food is stuck in the lower esophagus while others may have a cough or respiratory discomfort (Some of these symptoms occur less frequently). Causes of Heartburn Heartburn and indigestion can tend to have similar triggers. The Way You Eat Eating large meals can cause the stomach to produce too much acid. Physically 'overfilling' the stomach can also create pressure and cause acid to escape. Eating irregularly or too quickly can mean that acid levels in the stomach don't have time to regulate. Eating on the run or just before bedtime can make it easier for acid to escape back up into the oesophagus (food pipe). The Types of Food You Eat Fatty foods tend to stay in the stomach for longer because fats are slower to digest. Foods such as chocolate and mint may have a relaxant effect on the sphincter (ring of muscle) at the entrance to the stomach enabling acid to escape back up. Spicy foods, onions and tomato products can also trigger heartburn. The Types of Drinks You Drink Caffeinated drinks & beverages,carbonated beverages and alcohol tend to increase acidity in the stomach. Very hot drinks and citrus juices may also be triggers. Pregnancy Hormonal changes during pregnancy. The baby physically putting pressure on the woman's digestive tract. Other known triggers include · Stress. · Some medicines, such as those for heart problems, asthma and high blood pressure. · Being overweight. · Wearing tight clothes which can put pressure on the stomach. · Smoking can encourage acid production and cause the sphincter to relax. Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Lifestyle changes can help ease heartburn: ·Maintain a healthy weight (- exercise and dietary plans). Excess weight put pressure on the abdomen, pushing up the stomach and causing acid to back up into the esophagus. · Avoid tight-fitting clothing, which puts pressure on the abdomen and the lower esophageal sphincter. · Avoid foods that trigger heartburn. · Avoid lying down after a meal. Wait at least three hours. ·Avoid late meals. .Sleep on the left side mostly because of the position of the stomach which is curved in on the left side. The food will and the stomach acids will settle down on the left. · Elevate the head of the bed if you regularly experience heartburn at night or while trying to sleep. If that's not possible, insert a wedge between the mattress and box spring to elevate the body from the waist up. Raising the head with additional pillows usually isn't effective. · Avoid smoking. Smoking decreases the lower esophageal sphincter's ability to function properly. Note:- Chest pain may be a symptom of a heart attack. Seek immediate help if you experience severe chest pain or pressure, especially when combined with other signs and symptoms such as pain in the arm or jaw or difficulty breathing.
