How you can prevent heat-related conditions
How you can prevent heat-related conditions
What makes for the perfect summer vacation? Time with family and friends? Afternoons of swimming and hiking? Evenings of campfires and making S’mores? It’s pretty hard to get it wrong when it comes to summer fun. And yet one of the most important factors of summer fun also happens to be one of the most dangerous: the sun.
While the sun can make for the most beautiful day, is can raise temperatures so high that it can become quite dangerous to be outdoors.
And since many people who visit national parks are out and about hiking, biking, swimming, and more, physical excursion mixed with high temperatures can sneak up causing major problems. Conditions like heat stroke (also known as heat exhaustion), dehydration, and heat cramps can be life-threatening if you don’t know how to treat them or how to prevent them. Learn more about how to recognize the symptoms and which parks hold the highest chances of heat-related conditions.
Heat stroke
What is heat stroke? Heat stroke is actually a form of hyperthermia where the body temperature reaches an abnormally elevated level. It can cause physical and neurological symptoms that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated.
What are the symptoms of heat stroke? Symptoms may differ from person to person but common ones include a high body temperature, rapid pulse, having red, flushed skin without sweating, the absence of sweating, difficulty breathing, strange behavior/confusion, hallucinations, agitation, and seizure.
How do you treat heat stroke? It is important that you receive immediate treatment. First, get to a shady area and remove your clothing. Apply cool water to your skin (spray or apply a damp cloth) and if anothe person is present, have them fan you. You can also apply ice packs to your armpits and groin if available. If your body temperature does not drop to 101, call 911 immediately.
Learn more about heat stroke at the About.com First Aid site.
Heat exhaustion
What is heat exhaustion? This is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate replacement of fluids.
What are the symptoms of heat exhaustion? Include vomiting, fatigue, weakness, headache, muscle cramps and aches, and dizziness.
What is the treatment for heat exhaustion? It’s important to rest and stay in a cool or air-conditioned environment.
A physicial may also suggest that you dress in lightweight clothing, take cool showers, and drink cool, non-alcoholic beverages.
Learn more about heat exhaustion at the About.com First Aid site.
Dehydration
What is Dehydration? This cam occur when the amount of water leaving the body is greater than the amount being taken in. Since the body sweats to try and cool itself, it is easy to loose track of how much water you should be replacing.
What are the symptoms of dehydration? Keep an eye out for dry mouth, muscle cramps, nausea/vomiting, heart palpitations, if your eyes stop making tears, if you stop sweating, and feeling lightheaded.
What is the treatment for dehydration? You must replace the fluids that were lost. This can be done by mouth (drinking) or by IV if necessary. It’s important to refill the body with clear fluids like water or fluids that contain electrolytes, like Gatorade, Powerade, or Pedialyte. Clear broths, popsicles, or Jell-O may also be used.
Learn more about dehydration at the About.com First Aid site.
Heat cramps
What are heat cramps? This can happen when you sweat a lot during strenuous activity.
What are the symptoms of heat cramps? Cramps will occur as muscle pains or spasms - usually in the abdomen, arms, or legs.
What is the treatment for heat cramps? Stop all activity, and sit quietly in a cool place. Make sure to drink water or a sports beverage. Even if the cramps go away, don’t return to strenuous activity for a few hours.
And if the heat cramps last for more than an hour, seek medical attention.
Now that you know what conditions may occur in extreme temperatures, check out which parks pose the highest risks. And remember, although conditions like heat stroke, dehydration, or heat exhaustion seem scary, they are very preventable and treatable.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
During the summer, temperatures inside the Grand Canyon National Park can exceed 100° F on a pretty regular basis. Mix the scorching sun with a strenuous hike, and it’s no wonder people get dehydrated and have suffered from heat stroke in this park.
Tips: When planning your visit, check the local forecast and plan accordingly. Keep your head covered and wear light colored clothing. Never set out on a hike without proper amounts of water and always tell someone when and where you are traveling.
Death Valley National Park, California
With a name like Death Valley National Park, it’s no surprise that this massive desert landscape is full of scorching days. Temperatures here can climb to 120° F easily, increasing your chances of heat-related illness.
Tips: As always, notify someone of where you are headed and when you expect to be back. If you’re hiking, make sure you have plenty of water or Gatorade and avoid hiking in the salt beds during the day.
They get no shade! And if you’re driving through the park, be sure you have a full tank of gas, well-inflated tires, and kits in case of an emergency. Death Valley is not the place you want to break down.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Big Bend National Park has a very arid climate which can cause your body to lose water much faster than usual. Even a little physical activity can accelerate water loss so stay alert for any symptoms of heat-related conditions.
Tips: Start the day well-hydrated, and continue to drink decaffeinated and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day. Also talk to the park staff about temperatures, road and trail conditions, and how to signal for help in the park.
Cell phones may not work in the park, so you should be prepared to use tools like air horns, whistles, mirrors, or fire to get help.
Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida
You may not think that Big Cypress National Preserve - a park full of trees and shade - would pose a threat for heat stroke, but this national park is known for its sub-tropical climate. Summers are hot and wet, full of humidity and air that feels thick and stuffy.
Tips: Carry fluids and be sure to wear cool, lighweight clothing when out for the day. Make sure to rest during activity and stay alert for symptoms of heat-related conditions.
Chill out
During the day, temperatures at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park climb into the 90’s and when that mixes with the high humidity and heat of lava flows, this national park can feel like a sauna. It is not a park for the elderly or those taking antihistamines or certain medications to be partaking in strenuous activities.
Tips: If you plan to hike out beyond the end of the roads to see lava flows, do not hike during the heat of the day (10 a.m.
to 2:00 p.m.). Also be sure to carry 3-4 quarts of water per person when out and about.
Don’t let the possibility of heat-related conditions scare you away from an exciting vacation in the national parks. The first and most important step with heat stroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, and other illnesses is prevention, so just be sure you know what to look for and how to treat it. No matter where you are or what activities you have planned, be prepared, stay alert, and have fun!
What makes for the perfect summer vacation? Time with family and friends? Afternoons of swimming and hiking? Evenings of campfires and making S’mores? It’s pretty hard to get it wrong when it comes to summer fun. And yet one of the most important factors of summer fun also happens to be one of the most dangerous: the sun.
While the sun can make for the most beautiful day, is can raise temperatures so high that it can become quite dangerous to be outdoors.
And since many people who visit national parks are out and about hiking, biking, swimming, and more, physical excursion mixed with high temperatures can sneak up causing major problems. Conditions like heat stroke (also known as heat exhaustion), dehydration, and heat cramps can be life-threatening if you don’t know how to treat them or how to prevent them. Learn more about how to recognize the symptoms and which parks hold the highest chances of heat-related conditions.
Heat stroke
What is heat stroke? Heat stroke is actually a form of hyperthermia where the body temperature reaches an abnormally elevated level. It can cause physical and neurological symptoms that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated.
What are the symptoms of heat stroke? Symptoms may differ from person to person but common ones include a high body temperature, rapid pulse, having red, flushed skin without sweating, the absence of sweating, difficulty breathing, strange behavior/confusion, hallucinations, agitation, and seizure.
How do you treat heat stroke? It is important that you receive immediate treatment. First, get to a shady area and remove your clothing. Apply cool water to your skin (spray or apply a damp cloth) and if anothe person is present, have them fan you. You can also apply ice packs to your armpits and groin if available. If your body temperature does not drop to 101, call 911 immediately.
Learn more about heat stroke at the About.com First Aid site.
Heat exhaustion
What is heat exhaustion? This is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate replacement of fluids.
What are the symptoms of heat exhaustion? Include vomiting, fatigue, weakness, headache, muscle cramps and aches, and dizziness.
What is the treatment for heat exhaustion? It’s important to rest and stay in a cool or air-conditioned environment.
A physicial may also suggest that you dress in lightweight clothing, take cool showers, and drink cool, non-alcoholic beverages.
Learn more about heat exhaustion at the About.com First Aid site.
Dehydration
What is Dehydration? This cam occur when the amount of water leaving the body is greater than the amount being taken in. Since the body sweats to try and cool itself, it is easy to loose track of how much water you should be replacing.
What are the symptoms of dehydration? Keep an eye out for dry mouth, muscle cramps, nausea/vomiting, heart palpitations, if your eyes stop making tears, if you stop sweating, and feeling lightheaded.
What is the treatment for dehydration? You must replace the fluids that were lost. This can be done by mouth (drinking) or by IV if necessary. It’s important to refill the body with clear fluids like water or fluids that contain electrolytes, like Gatorade, Powerade, or Pedialyte. Clear broths, popsicles, or Jell-O may also be used.
Learn more about dehydration at the About.com First Aid site.
Heat cramps
What are heat cramps? This can happen when you sweat a lot during strenuous activity.
What are the symptoms of heat cramps? Cramps will occur as muscle pains or spasms - usually in the abdomen, arms, or legs.
What is the treatment for heat cramps? Stop all activity, and sit quietly in a cool place. Make sure to drink water or a sports beverage. Even if the cramps go away, don’t return to strenuous activity for a few hours.
And if the heat cramps last for more than an hour, seek medical attention.
Now that you know what conditions may occur in extreme temperatures, check out which parks pose the highest risks. And remember, although conditions like heat stroke, dehydration, or heat exhaustion seem scary, they are very preventable and treatable.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
During the summer, temperatures inside the Grand Canyon National Park can exceed 100° F on a pretty regular basis. Mix the scorching sun with a strenuous hike, and it’s no wonder people get dehydrated and have suffered from heat stroke in this park.
Tips: When planning your visit, check the local forecast and plan accordingly. Keep your head covered and wear light colored clothing. Never set out on a hike without proper amounts of water and always tell someone when and where you are traveling.
Death Valley National Park, California
With a name like Death Valley National Park, it’s no surprise that this massive desert landscape is full of scorching days. Temperatures here can climb to 120° F easily, increasing your chances of heat-related illness.
Tips: As always, notify someone of where you are headed and when you expect to be back. If you’re hiking, make sure you have plenty of water or Gatorade and avoid hiking in the salt beds during the day.
They get no shade! And if you’re driving through the park, be sure you have a full tank of gas, well-inflated tires, and kits in case of an emergency. Death Valley is not the place you want to break down.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Big Bend National Park has a very arid climate which can cause your body to lose water much faster than usual. Even a little physical activity can accelerate water loss so stay alert for any symptoms of heat-related conditions.
Tips: Start the day well-hydrated, and continue to drink decaffeinated and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day. Also talk to the park staff about temperatures, road and trail conditions, and how to signal for help in the park.
Cell phones may not work in the park, so you should be prepared to use tools like air horns, whistles, mirrors, or fire to get help.
Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida
You may not think that Big Cypress National Preserve - a park full of trees and shade - would pose a threat for heat stroke, but this national park is known for its sub-tropical climate. Summers are hot and wet, full of humidity and air that feels thick and stuffy.
Tips: Carry fluids and be sure to wear cool, lighweight clothing when out for the day. Make sure to rest during activity and stay alert for symptoms of heat-related conditions.
Chill out
During the day, temperatures at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park climb into the 90’s and when that mixes with the high humidity and heat of lava flows, this national park can feel like a sauna. It is not a park for the elderly or those taking antihistamines or certain medications to be partaking in strenuous activities.
Tips: If you plan to hike out beyond the end of the roads to see lava flows, do not hike during the heat of the day (10 a.m.
to 2:00 p.m.). Also be sure to carry 3-4 quarts of water per person when out and about.
Don’t let the possibility of heat-related conditions scare you away from an exciting vacation in the national parks. The first and most important step with heat stroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, and other illnesses is prevention, so just be sure you know what to look for and how to treat it. No matter where you are or what activities you have planned, be prepared, stay alert, and have fun!
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