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ADPH Warns of Heat Injury - HEAT ADVISORY EXTENDED

By National Weather Service
Monday, August 2, 2010 | 12:00 AM
https://hbtv.us/news/?story_id=389

THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISES THE PUBLIC TO BE ALERT TO THE WARNING SIGNALS OF HEAT ILLNESSES. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS EXTENDED THE HEAT ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM CDT TUESDAY FOR ALL OF CENTRAL ALABAMA. FRANKLIN, LAWRENCE, MORGAN AND CULLMAN COUNTIES ARE UNDER AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING.

THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL CREATE HEAT INDEX VALUES FROM 106 TO 112 DEGREES IN MANY LOCATIONS THROUGH AT LEAST TUESDAY AFTERNOON...AND POSSIBLY INTO WEDNESDAY. IN ADDITION...OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURES WILL NOT PROVIDE GREAT RELIEF AS THESE LOWS WILL REMAIN IN THE MID TO UPPER 70S IN MANY PLACES.

PEOPLE SHOULD DRINK PLENTY OF WATER, STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM, AND KEEP OUT OF THE SUN. THE PUBLIC SHOULD ALSO CHECK ON THE ELDERLY AND ENSURE PETS HAVE PLENTY OF WATER TO DRINK AND A SHADY PLACE TO COOL OFF.

HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES OCCUR WHEN THE BODY`S TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM IS OVERLOADED. THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
CAUTIONS EVERYONE TO BE ALERT TO THE WARNINGS THAT MAY SIGNAL HELP IS NEEDED.

HEAT STROKE, SOMETIMES CALLED SUNSTROKE, IS THE MOST SERIOUS HEAT RELATED ILLNESS. IT OCCURS WHEN THE BODY BECOMES UNABLE TO CONTROL ITS TEMPERATURE. THE BODY`S TEMPERATURE RISES RAPIDLY, THE SWEATING MECHANISM FAILS AND THE BODY IS UNABLE TO COOL DOWN. BODY TEMPERATURE MAY RISE TO 106 DEGREES F OR HIGHER WITHIN 10 TO 15 MINUTES. HEAT STROKE CAN CAUSE DEATH OR PERMANENT DISABILITY IF
EMERGENCY TREATMENT IS NOT PROVIDED.

WARNING SIGNS OF HEAT STROKE VARY, BUT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

-AN EXTREMELY HIGH BODY TEMPERATURE (ABOVE 103 DEGREES F)
-RED, HOT AND DRY SKIN (NO SWEATING)
-RAPID, STRONG PULSE
-THROBBING HEADACHE
-DIZZINESS
-NAUSEA
-CONFUSION
-UNCONSCIOUSNESS

GET THE PERSON TO A SHADY AREA, COOL RAPIDLY IN A TUB OF COOL WATER, PLACE IN A COOL SHOWER, SPRAY WITH COOL WATER FROM A GARDEN HOSE, SPLASH WITH COOL WATER, OR, IF THE HUMIDITY IS LOW, PLACE IN A COOL, WET SHEET AND FAN VIGOROUSLY. MONITOR BODY TEMPERATURE AND
CONTINUE COOLING EFFORTS UNTIL THE PERSON`S BODY TEMPERATURE DROPS TO 101 TO 102 DEGREES F. IF EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL ARE
DELAYED, CALL A HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.

DR. DONALD WILLIAMSON, STATE HEALTH OFFICER, SAID, "HEAT STROKE IS A LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY. A PERSON WITH HEAT STROKE IS LIKELY
TO BE UNCONSCIOUS OR UNRESPONSIVE, SO HE OR SHE CANNOT SAFELY CONSUME ANY LIQUIDS. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU GIVE ANY
ALCOHOL TO A PERSON WITH HEAT STROKE OR ANY HEAT ILLNESS."

FOLLOW THESE PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO AVOID HEAT ILLNESSES:

-DRINK MORE FLUIDS, AND AVOID BEVERAGES CONTAINING ALCOHOL OR CAFFEINE.
-WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE EXTREME, STAY INDOORS, IDEALLY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED PLACE.
-TAKE A COOL SHOWER OR BATH, AND REDUCE OR ELIMINATE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES DURING THE HOTTEST TIME OF THE DAY.
-PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SUN WITH A WIDE BRIMMED HAT, LIGHT COLORED AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING, AND USE A SUNSCREEN OF SPF 15
OR HIGHER.
-NEVER LEAVE PETS OR PEOPLE IN A PARKED VEHICLE.

INDIVIDUALS WITH HEART PROBLEMS, POOR CIRCULATION, DIABETES, A PREVIOUS STROKE OR OBESITY ARE AT GREATER RISK OF BECOMING SICK
IN HOT WEATHER. THE RISK OF HEAT RELATED ILLNESS MAY INCREASE AMONG PEOPLE USING MEDICATIONS FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, NERVOUSNESS OR DEPRESSION.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.ADPH.ORG.

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