WESTERN CAPE NEWS - With hot weather usually prevalent in Oudtshoorn and the Klein Karoo for this time of year as well as the start of school athletics programmes, Western Cape Government Health issued a statement to remind people to take care when exposed to hot condition and to be aware of the possibility of heat stroke.
According to the statement babies, the elderly and people working or exercising in a hot environment are at particular risk for heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
People using chronic medication need to drink extra water during heat waves to ensure that their kidneys are not further stressed.
The following general guidelines should be followed:
• Wear a large hat to protect the head from the sun, use an umbrella to add shade
• Use a small wet towel or cloth under hats or on shoulders to help keep cool
• by drinking as much water as is needed.
• Always have water at hand
• Use the rehydration solution if you are thirsty even though you are drinking water: The solution can be made by mixing a litre of water, 8 teaspoons sugar and ½ a teaspoon of salt in a clean bottle. This is safe for all ages to drink especially for people who work or exercise outdoors, such as children practising athletics and road or farm workers.
• Ensure that the elderly and infirm have easy access to water
Babies:
• Breast milk is all that babies younger than 6 months require, you need not give the baby water or tea to ‘cool down’ they only need breast milk.
• Breast feeding mom’s must remember to drink extra water, cold rooibos tea also makes a refreshing and healthy drink.
• Take your baby to the clinic at the first sign of Diarrhoea and/or vomiting
• Keep babies in the shade or indoors
• Wipe baby down with a clean damp cloth – this will help keep them cool down
• Do not cover babies in a lot of clothing and blankets; light clothing is sufficient.
Older Children
• Keep children in the shade and indoors between 11:00 and 16:00 on hot days • Avoid sports activities if possible, if sport is essential; ensure that there is a lot of water and re-hydration solution available.
• Children must wear hats and sunblock
• Keep your head covered, place a wet cloth under your hat to help keep cool
• Make sure that there is lots of cool, clean water to drink
• Take regular, short breaks in the shade
• When taking a break, pour water over your head to help the body cool down
Symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke
Heat stroke can be fatal and should be treated as a medical emergency. Heat exhaustion is a less severe condition but can quickly progress to heat stroke if left untreated. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke occur when the body is unable to lower its temperature to normal levels through the skin or by sweating. Dehydration can cause heat stroke because the body is unable to sweat fast enough to dissipate the heat.
• Nausea or vomiting
• A pale skin colour
• Tiredness and weakness
• Headache
• Muscle cramps and dizziness
If the symptoms are severe or the victim has a heart condition or high blood pressure, seek urgent medical help.
Give the person the Oral Rehydration solution described above. Do not add too much salt – the mixture should taste like tears. Sports drinks or commercial oral rehydration solution are also effective. If the symptoms worsen or last longer than an hour, seek urgent medical attention.
Children under two years are at high risk of dehydration which can lead rapidly to very dangerous conditions. This is even more dangerous if a child has diarrhoea and/or vomiting. Use the sugar-salt-solution while you seek medical attention at your nearest clinic or emergency unit.
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