A wise man once said "prevention is better than cure". This holds true for heat stroke and every individual can take certain precautions to ensure that they are protected from the adverse effects of heat stroke.

The following are a few basic measures which can be followed:

1. Drink plenty of fluids during outdoor activities especially on hot days. A sports drink is ideal to replace the essential electrolytes, potassium and sugar that are lost. Water is also ideal for the purpose; however, drink less tea, coffee, sodas and alcoholic beverages, which can lead to dehydration.
2. Wear lightweight, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothes preferably of a lighter color.
3. Schedule vigorous outdoor activities for cooler times of the day.
4. Protect yourself from the Sun by using a hat, umbrella and sunglasses.
5. Increase the time spent outdoors gradually so that your body can get acclimatized to the hot conditions.
6. During outdoor activities take frequent drink breaks in the shade and take precautions to ensure that you don't overstrain yourself.
7. Try to spend as much time as possible indoors or in the shade.

If you have a chronic medical problem please consult your doctor about taking extra fluids and whether any of the medications you are currently taking will put you at greater risk. This is especially important for people living in hot climates.

1. Increase worker awareness of heat stroke, its symptoms and precautions to be followed.
2. Provide cool drinking water near the place of work and encourage them to drink every 20 minutes even if they don't feel thirsty.
3. Encourage workers that are on medication to check with their doctors before working in hot conditions.
4. Recommend that workers wear clothing that is loose fitting, tightly woven and lightly colored which would reflect heat rather than absorb it.
5. Discourage the consumption of excess amounts of alcohol 24 hours before working in hot environments.

These are just some of the measures that can be taken to ensure your safety. However if a person is found to have a heat stroke he must get immediate medical attention because it is an emergency.

          

   

©Copyright 1998 Elizabeth Beckett, Holly Bernitt, and Vishwa Chandra.