QUINCY, ILL. -- Every year thousands of people across the country head to the hospital with symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. In fact last year eleven Missourians died from heat related illnesses.
Kelli Keck has been a lifeguard at Wavering Pool in Quincy for five years. She says in heat like this, even swimmers can feel the effects of heat exhaustion.
Keck said, "They don't feel it until they get home and that's when it hits them."
As you can imagine, the effects of heat and humidity are even more dangerous for folks working or playing out in the hot summer sun. Dr. Lance Real with Quincy Medical Group says there are varying degrees of heat related illnesses.
The first is heat cramps. That's when you begin to lose fluids and sodium from your system.
From there you may experience heat exhaustion. That's when your body begins having trouble cooling itself and you'll become increasingly dehydrated. At this point you will experience symptoms like weakness, fatigue, headache, dizziness,clammy skin and nausea.
He says if you have any of these symptoms you need to cool yourself off immediately, by going to a cool place, drinking water and applying cool compresses to the body.
If you do not begin to cool yourself off, you could experience what's called heat stroke. Heat stroke means the body organs have shut down, you stop sweating and the body is unable to compensate for the severe loss of fluids.
Dr. Real says folks suffering from heat stroke should go to the emergency room where doctors can bring your temperature down quickly.
In case you didn't know children and the elderly are the most susceptible to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Dr. Real says that's because they have fewer fluid reserves in their bodies and sweat less.
Folks who work in the heat, like lifeguards also have to watch it. Keck says most try to stay in the shade and take advantage of frequent breaks.
Keck said, "Head guards make sure guards have sunscreen and water because they can easily go through a cup of water in 50 minutes."
So no matter where you find yourself on hot days like this, take it from the experts. Prevention is the best medicine for dangerous heat-related illnesses. First wear light-colored and loose fitting clothing.
Stay in the shade if possible.
Also if you are active or working outdoors, take frequent breaks and stay hydrated.
It's also a good idea to avoid the mid-day heat when the sun is hottest.
Another interesting tid-bit -- although sweating is your body's natural way to stay cool, after 75 percent humidity sweating doesn't help you cool yourself. That means hydration and taking breaks are even more important.
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