Beat the Heat This year we seem to have gone straight from winter to summer without stopping at spring. Daytime temperatures are already pushing 90 degrees and we can only expect them to rise. On days like this, it is best to stay where it is cool and avoid arduous activity if possible. If you do have to perform strenuous work, do it in short periods interspersed with frequent breaks to hydrate and to cool off, whether in the shade, with a fan, or in the air conditioning. When possible, schedule more taxing activities during the cooler hours of late evening or early in the morning. Drinking enough fluid is paramount because dehydration happens much faster at these temperatures. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are both serious conditions that require immediate action. Heat exhaustion usually manifests as muscle weakness, excessive sweating, lightheadedness, and nausea or vomiting. Treatment does not always require medical care. Many people respond to being moved into a cooler environment; loosening clothing; taking a cool shower or bath; application of cool cloths or packs to the face, neck, armpits, and groin; drinking cool fluids such as water or sports drinks. If the afflicted individual does not respond well, immediate medical care should be sought. Heat stroke is the most dangerous and usually occurs when the body's temperature exceeds 103 degrees. Confusion or loss of consciousness, hot dry skin, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing. and nausea or vomiting are the defining symptoms. If you suspect someone is having a heat stroke, call 911 immediately or take them directly to the nearest Emergency Department. This can be life- threatening, so don't delay. Blood work and imaging are usually needed to determine the extent of the damage and more advanced cooling methods such as delivering cool fluids directly into the body are often necessary. The very young, the very old, the obese, and those with underlying medical conditions are most at risk. People not acclimated to the heat or who are doing strenuous work are also more prone to develop heat stroke. Excessive heat and increased humidity also have a detrimental effect on those with underlying lung diseases, like COPD or asbestos related disease. These individuals will have a lower than normal exercise tollerance, be short of breath, and possibly cough and wheeze more. People with these conditions should stay where it is cooler until the outside temperature lowers and take their respiratory medications as directed by a provider. If symptoms worsen, the primary care provider should be notified. If you have asbestos related disease or think you might, CARD can help. We provide screening for asbestos related disease free of change for those who qualify. For CARD patients already diagnosed, we provide ongoing care to improve their quality of life while living with this disease. Please call CARD at (406)293-9874 to make an appointment or ask questions. Call 293-9274 or stop by 214 E. 3rd St to pick up a screening application. CA CARD Center for Asbestos Related Disease SCREENING // HEALTHCARE // EDUCATION // RESEARCH // OUTREACH Testing available locally or from a distance. Screening provided through CDC grant # 5NU61TS000295. Ongoing care not covered. T Beat the Heat This year we seem to have gone straight from winter to summer without stopping at spring . Daytime temperatures are already pushing 90 degrees and we can only expect them to rise . On days like this , it is best to stay where it is cool and avoid arduous activity if possible . If you do have to perform strenuous work , do it in short periods interspersed with frequent breaks to hydrate and to cool off , whether in the shade , with a fan , or in the air conditioning . When possible , schedule more taxing activities during the cooler hours of late evening or early in the morning . Drinking enough fluid is paramount because dehydration happens much faster at these temperatures . Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are both serious conditions that require immediate action . Heat exhaustion usually manifests as muscle weakness , excessive sweating , lightheadedness , and nausea or vomiting . Treatment does not always require medical care . Many people respond to being moved into a cooler environment ; loosening clothing ; taking a cool shower or bath ; application of cool cloths or packs to the face , neck , armpits , and groin ; drinking cool fluids such as water or sports drinks . If the afflicted individual does not respond well , immediate medical care should be sought . Heat stroke is the most dangerous and usually occurs when the body's temperature exceeds 103 degrees . Confusion or loss of consciousness , hot dry skin , rapid heart rate , rapid breathing . and nausea or vomiting are the defining symptoms . If you suspect someone is having a heat stroke , call 911 immediately or take them directly to the nearest Emergency Department . This can be life threatening , so don't delay . Blood work and imaging are usually needed to determine the extent of the damage and more advanced cooling methods such as delivering cool fluids directly into the body are often necessary . The very young , the very old , the obese , and those with underlying medical conditions are most at risk . People not acclimated to the heat or who are doing strenuous work are also more prone to develop heat stroke . Excessive heat and increased humidity also have a detrimental effect on those with underlying lung diseases , like COPD or asbestos related disease . These individuals will have a lower than normal exercise tollerance , be short of breath , and possibly cough and wheeze more . People with these conditions should stay where it is cooler until the outside temperature lowers and take their respiratory medications as directed by a provider . If symptoms worsen , the primary care provider should be notified . If you have asbestos related disease or think you might , CARD can help . We provide screening for asbestos related disease free of change for those who qualify . For CARD patients already diagnosed , we provide ongoing care to improve their quality of life while living with this disease . Please call CARD at (406)293-9874 to make an appointment or ask questions . Call 293-9274 or stop by 214 E. 3rd St to pick up a screening application . CA CARD Center for Asbestos Related Disease SCREENING // HEALTHCARE // EDUCATION // RESEARCH // OUTREACH Testing available locally or from a distance . Screening provided through CDC grant # 5NU61TS000295 . Ongoing care not covered . T