Louisiana, Watch For These Dangerous Signs Of Heat Illness

Though summer won't officially begin until next Thursday, June 20, some would argue that summer begins here in Louisiana around Memorial Day.

Get our free mobile app

A quick look at the 10-day forecast from The Weather Channel and it's easy to see that temps will soon be in the mid to upper 90's on a daily basis, and that's long before we get to those blistering hot days of July and August.

If you're new to Louisiana, you hopefully didn't think you were moving here for our pleasant "tropical climate."  The next ninety days could send you to Alaska.

However, even us seasoned Louisiana lifers don't play around with our own health when the temperatures begin to soar.

Most of us have been told that when we're working outside in heat like this to "drink plenty of fluids and take frequent breaks," but what if you might have overdone it?

What are the signs that you or someone you are working with might be having a heat stroke or heat exhaustion?

Signs of a Heat Stroke

According to the Centers For Disease Control, this is the most serious of all heat-related illnesses. Indicators include high body temperature, fast strong pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea and possible loss of consciousness.

This is one that requires immediate medical attention and if you spot someone with these symptoms, you should call 911 right away.

Signs of Heat Exhaustion

Certainly another medical condition not to mess around with. Symptoms for this one include heavy sweating, clammy skin, fast weak pulse, nausea, muscle cramps, dizziness, headache and possible passing out. Should you or someone else experience these symptoms, immediately move them to a cool place, loosen their clothes, put cool wet cloths on their body and give them sips of water. If they begin to throw up or symptoms persist for more than an hour or get worse, contact 911 immediately.

Just look at the chart from the CDC below and you might even want to print it out to keep on hand.