BATTLE MOUNTAIN - Temperatures soaring into the high 90s and 100s have sent many people running indoors to air conditioners, but a few people are still opting for outdoor fun or are forced to work in the heat.
Community Health Nurse Brenda Keller is asking residents to take precautions against heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
"Fluids are number one," Keller said. "That should really be water. You want to avoid carbonated and sugary beverages. Water, water, water. I can't say water enough. Water is really the key element here."
She also cautioned people to avoid caffeinated beverages, because those lead to dehydration, and to stay away from alcohol.
According to the American Red Cross, heat exhaustion typically involves the loss of body fluids through heavy sweating during strenuous exercise or physical labor in high heat and humidity.
The signs of heat exhaustion are cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, heavy sweating, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, disorientation and exhaustion, according to Keller. She also said the person may experience a throbbing headache, be light-headed and appear flushed with dry and cracked lips. Hallucinations and slurred speech can also be signs.
"If a little kid tells you they have a headache, you really want to pay attention," she said. "A lack of sweating. When you stop sweating that is definitely a sign of dehydration that could lead to heat stroke."
According to the American Red Cross, the signs of heat stroke are hot, red skin which may be dry or moist, changes in consciousness, vomiting and high body temperature.
According to Keller, if heat exhaustion is not treated it may lead to heat stroke, which can be deadly in certain circumstances.
Keller said heat stroke is caused by failure of the body's heat regulating mechanism during or after exposure to heat and high relative humidity. She added that body temperature will rise rapidly.
In the United States, around 250 people die each year of heat stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heat exposure caused 8,015 deaths in the United States between 1979 and 2003.
During this period, more people in this country died from extreme heat than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes combined, according to the CDC. In 2001, 300 deaths were caused by excessive heat exposure.
If someone is suffering from heat exhaustion, the person should move to a cooler place, remove loose or tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin and sit in front of a fan, according to the American Red Cross.
Give the person small amounts of water and make sure the person drinks slowly. Keller stressed that the person should not drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages.
Keller also suggested neck ice packs, and she said if the person has not recovered in 30 minutes, he or she should seek medical attention.
If the person refuses water or starts vomiting, call 9-1-1. Heat stroke is life-threatening and if heat stroke is suspected then 9-1-1 should be dialed immediately, according to Keller.
"If you have concerns, follow your instinct and get that person some assistance because it can be very serious," Keller said.
Keller added that people should not attempt to drive themselves to seek medical care. She said that they should continue to cool themselves until medical attention can be received.
Keller said prevention of heat exhaustion and heat stroke consists of avoiding prolonged exposure to heat, increasing electrolyte and water intake, wearing loose fitting and lightweight clothes and a wide-brimmed hat and taking frequent rest breaks, especially during strenuous activities. She urged people to drink even if they do not feel thirsty.
She suggested people should stay in the shade, wet their hair or get under a sprinkler or a hose.
According to the Red Cross, prevention also includes eating small meals and more often, staying indoors and avoiding strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day and using a buddy system when working in excessive heat.
Keller suggested sunscreen and stressed taking in an adequate amount of fluids, mainly water. She said she has seen kids at swimming pools suffer heat exhaustion because they feel cool in the water and do not take in enough fluids.
Keller said parents need to ensure their children are drinking enough fluids even if their children do not feel thirsty. She said a great way to stay cool, especially for children or the elderly, is frozen grapes, yogurt, bananas and berries. She also suggested popsicles for kids.
"Kids love popsicles and they are nice and cool," she said.
She said people should drink six eight ounce glasses of water per day on a normal day but people who are working or exercising outdoors on a hot day should consume eight ounces of water every 20 minutes even if they do not
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feel thirsty. But she cautioned that people who have fluid restrictions with their diets should consult their doctors about fluid intake.
She added that road closures due to fires, construction and accidents or break downs can leave people stranded in their vehicles for extended periods of time.
"As we progress into extreme temperatures, people need to be aware of that and prepare in advance when making short trips in ensuring they have fluids in their vehicles in case the car breaks down and seek emergency treatment if they develop signs or symptoms of heat stroke," said Keller.
If possible, stay where there is air conditioning during the hottest part of the day and do things outside early in the morning or in the evening, said Keller, who added that 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is the hottest part of the day.
Keller cautioned people to never leave their children or pets in cars even for just a few minutes with the air conditioning running. She said the air condition could malfunction and that temperatures in cars can rise quickly.
"You should never leave your children inside a vehicle ever, for any reason," she added.
According to the CDC, people should avoid very cold drinks because they can cause stomach cramps.
Keller said the elderly and children under the age of 4 are more at risk of suffering heat exhaustion. She said the elderly and children do not have the thirst drive that other people do.
"Make sure you are checking on elderly people often, whether they are your neighbors or family members, every day or a couple of times a day," said Keller.
Keller also added that groups of higher risk are people with underlying health issues and people who are on certain medications.
"People should be reading their medication bottles," she said.
She urges people to check with their doctors to see if they are more at risk.
Keller also added that obesity and drinking alcohol can put someone at greater risk. People with heart disease or high blood pressure are also more at risk.
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