Heat Illnesses
Reported by Science Specialist, Ed Yeates (7/16)

Our temperatures just keep climbing and Salt Lake doctors are beginning to see patients- for heat exhaustion.

Science Specialist, Ed Yeates, reports they're warning residents to avoid spending long periods of time outdoors during the hottest time of day.

Most people are staying out of the heat and physicians say that's a good idea. The University Hospital emergency room has treated one case of heat exhaustion today in a 101 year old man.

The elderly are extremely vulnerable since they're often not able to rebound like a younger person. Dr. Steven Heath at the Olympus Clinic treated two elderly patients yesterday who in a very short period of time showed symptoms of heat exhaustion.

He explains, "A woman just yesterday who walked to her appointment, and she was elderly and in her eighties, but otherwise in pretty good shape. But just during the exam, I thought she was excessively warm. And I said, 'Gee have you been sick, have you had a fever?' And she states she just walked here. And even after a period of five minutes, she had a hard time readjusting her temperature."

A word to the wise..

If working or playing outdoors, drink plenty of liquids alternating between water and beverages which replace electrolytes and chemicals which the body loses rapidly during hot weather.

Wear a hat or carry an umbrell, and place a moist towel around the head.

Hospital emergency rooms are also seeing more outdoor related accidents right now - and many of those could be aggravated by the heat.

Dangers of Heat
Reported by Shelley Osterloh (7/16)

The Dog Days of Summer are here. The mercury reached triple digits in several areas in the state.

If you have to be out in the heat it can be very uncomfortable, and the heat can also be downright dangerous. News Specialist, Shelley Osterloh, reports that the elderly, the very young, and people with health problems are the most at risk. But anyone can suffer from heat stress.

Lots of people like to get out and enjoy the summer. But the heat can make play -- and work -- a little harder. Water is the key to survival.

Heat stress can affect anyone. Under normal conditions your body regulates itselft. But hot temperatures and exertion can prevent your body from cooling itself fast enough.

For any heat problem, get to a cool place and sip water. Add a little salt to it if possible.

One kind of heat stress is cramps in the legs or stomach, caused by salt loss, or by drinking too much ice water, too fast.

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body's heat-control mechanism is overactive, but hasn't broken down completely. The symptoms are profuse sweating, intense thirst, clammy skin, fatigue, and dizziness. To treat it, get someplace cool, drink *lightly* salted water, loosen tight clothing, treat for shock, and send for medical aid.

"Heat stroke is a dire emergency," says Salt Lake County fire captain Bill Brass. "It occurs when you become so hot that you are not sweating anymore. Your body is not cooling itself," he explains.

With heat stroke, the victim's body temperature can soar to fatal levels. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, irregular breathing, confused behavior, muscle twitches or loss of consciousness. For treatment-- Call the paramedics and put cool wet cloths on the head and body.

Medical experts warn heat stress can sneak up on you, so be careful. They advise you to take frequent breaks, and get in the shade. They say it's just too hot to be out there all day long.