Outdoor work might lead to a quick trip to an emergency room if precautions are not taken to avoid overheating.
Dr. Billy Thurmond, of Family Physicians of North Augusta, offers advice on how to cope with excessive heat.
1. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SHADE: "If you are outside, try to be in shade. The difference between being in the sun and the shade can be 10 degrees."
2. LIMIT TIME SPENT IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT: "No more than 45 minutes at a time. If you stay out longer than that at one time you greatly increase your risk of getting heat stress. You ought to take at least a 30-minute break."
3. WEAR A HAT: "Wear a wide-brim hat. Not only does it protect you from the harmful effects of UV (ultraviolet) radiation, but it reduces body temperature by preventing sunlight from hitting the top part of the body."
4. DRINK PLENTY OF LIQUIDS: "Dehydration and heat stress are two completely different things. You can get severe heat exhaustion and heat stress without being dehydrated. You reduce your risk of heat problems if you drink plenty of water and sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade.
"The thing is to keep to a minimum anything with caffeine, (which can) make you more susceptible to heat stress."
5. USE A WET TOWEL: "Take a towel with you and keep it wet. Keeping the towel wrapped around your neck can reduce body temperature significantly."
The first signs of dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stress include weakness, nausea or being light-headed, Thurmond said.
"Don't walk, run to a cool place when you first feel the first symptom," he said. "Put a cool towel on you. Preferably, get in front of a fan."
If symptoms persist or become worse after 30 minutes, medical attention should be sought Thurmond said.
Thurmond said he has seen about 20 patients, mostly outdoor workers, for a heat-related illness this summer.
He said he has treated construction workers from the new municipal building on Georgia Avenue.
"People that work outside are really at the higher risk," he said.
Joseph Kinchen, a carpenter who works for McGee Home Builders in North Augusta, said he beats the heat by drinking plenty of liquids.
"We drink water and try to mix in Gatorade, because water usually isn't enough," Kinchen said. "We take some breaks and get in the shade a little while."
Kinchen's workday is 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., putting him and his workers at work during the hottest part of the day.
"One of my guys did get sick to the stomach," Kinchen said. "The biggest thing is to stay hydrated."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta said that 3,442 deaths from 1999-2003 were a result of exposure to extreme heat.
Reach Crystal Garcia at crystal.garcia@northaugustatoday.com.
HEAT DISORDERS AND SYMPTOMS
DISORDER: Heat cramps
SYMPTOMS: Spasms in leg muscles or abdomen, heavy sweating.
DISORDER: Heat exhaustion
SYMPTOMS: Weakness, heavy sweating, cold skin, fainting and vomiting. Body temperature can be normal.
DISORDER: Heatstroke
SYMPTOMS: Rapid pulse; unconsciousness; hot, dry skin; and a body temperature of 106 degrees or higher.
Source: National Weather Service
