Louisiana Here’s How To Know You’re Suffering Heat Stroke
If you're new to Louisiana, the heat we're experiencing now, is nothing compared to what we'll see in the next couple of months. Hopefully, you didn't think you were moving here for our pleasant "tropical climate."
However, even us seasoned Louisiana lifers don't play around with our own health when the temperatures are up where they are.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that even though summer doesn't officially begin until tomorrow, June 21, Mother Nature has already turned the oven on.
With Heat Advisories for pretty much every day this week and heat indexes around 110, parking near a shade tree is way more important than actually being close to the store.
All joking aside, this heat is dangerous, and it's only June so we've got another three months of this to go.
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 already overdone it?
What are the signs you 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.