Staying cool: Don't fall victim to heat-related illness this summer

Editor's note: This story originally appeared in Healthwatch, the Southeast Missourian's annual publication focusing on community health in our area.

Let's face it: Sweat is a normal part of summer in Southeast Missouri.

Sweat is the body's natural cooling system, but in times of extreme heat, sometimes even that doesn't work. Infants, children, the obese and elderly are especially vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.

If you feel faint, have muscle cramps and are extremely fatigued, these are all signs that you need to get away from the heat, says Dr. Joy LeDoux-Johnson, who specializes in pediatrics and internal medicine at Cape Primary Care. It's time to see a doctor if you also experience vomiting, a headache and disorientation, and if you've tried to hydrate and cool off but you still don't feel better.

"It's very serious, particularly because it can progress from one stage to more severe stages if it's not detected and treated early. It can very easily go from dehydration to heat stroke, which can lead to death," says LeDoux-Johnson. "Prevention is going to be the No. 1 focus during the heat, and that's making sure that you stay well hydrated, drink lots of cool fluids and be aware of the temperature."

Remember to wear sunscreen, take frequent breaks out of the heat and apply cool compresses. Also familiarize yourself with the progression of heat-related illnesses so you can address symptoms before they become serious:

Stage one: Dehydration

"Dehydration is the very early stages where the body has become slightly overheated and you haven't replaced those fluids because you're losing a lot of fluids through sweating," says LeDoux-Johnson. "A lot times you'll have the sensation of thirst, but sometimes you don't."

At this stage you may also notice dizziness and fatigue.

Stage two: Heat exhaustion

"When it progresses to heat exhaustion, you have more dizziness, more muscle weakness, maybe muscle cramps, and very profuse sweating," says LeDoux-Johnson. "Your body is beginning to have difficulty cooling itself."

Stage three: Heat stroke

At this point your body has lost the ability to cool itself, and you may not sweat at all. A person with heat stroke may start vomiting, become delirious and have seizures, along with continued fatigue and muscle cramps. It can progress to a coma or even death.