BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 X-WR-CALNAME:News PRODID:-//Sitemason, Inc//Sitemason Calendar//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT UID:http://sitemason.vanderbilt.edu/element/9ty79cs/id/62176 SUMMARY:Vanderbilt emergency doctors warn against heat emergencies DESCRIPTION:Vanderbilt&rsquo\;s emergency physicians are urging the public to take precautions in the extreme heat.\n \;\nCorey Slovis\, M.D.\, chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and medical director for Metro-Nashville Fire Department EMS and Nashville International Airport\, said prolonged heat day after day can lead to dehydration.\n \;\n&ldquo\;Having several days of high temperatures can lead to dehydration\,&rdquo\; Slovis said. &ldquo\;We are urging people to get out of the sun.&rdquo\;\n \;\nSlovis said the high temperatures\, combined with high humidity\, creates a dangerous scenario for people who work outdoors\, or those who do not have air conditioning.\n \;\n&ldquo\;When it doesn&rsquo\;t cool off at night\, people do not have a chance to rehydrate\,&rdquo\; he said.\n \;\nSlovis said the emergency department often sees two different types of heat emergencies &ndash\; heat exhaustion and heat stroke.\n \;\nHeat exhaustion\, which is caused by dehydration\, is indicated by headache\, dizziness\, weakness\, nausea and cool\, moist skin. Heat stroke\, the most serious heat emergency\, is indicated by a body temperature over 105 degrees\, irrational behavior\, extreme confusion\, dry\, hot and red skin\, and rapid\, shallow breathing.\n \;\nSlovis offers these tips to avoid a heat emergency\:\n \;\n1. Avoid prolonged direct exposure to bright sunlight&mdash\;take a time out in the shade\, wear a broad-brimmed hat\, or shield yourself from the sun in some other way.\n\n2. Wear light-colored\, loose-fitting cotton clothing.\n\n3. Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids. Alcohol predisposes people to heat stroke or heat exhaustion.\n\n4. Remember that some people are more vulnerable than others\: the very young\, the very old and people who are taking diuretics or anti-hypertensive medications have greater risk from the heat.\n\n5. Know the symptoms of heat problems\: "\;Just not feeling right"\; -- lethargy\, dizziness\, trouble concentrating and slurred speech are common early symptoms.\n\n6. Know how to respond to heat problems\: Get affected person to a cool area out of the direct sunlight\, keep them wet with cool water or wet towels\, turn a fan on them to help cool the body. If the person quickly feels better\, it&rsquo\;s likely that no further medical attention is needed. If symptoms persist\, get the person to a doctor.\n \;\nMedia Contact\: Jerry Jones\, (615) 322-4747\njerry.jones@vanderbilt.edu URL;VALUE=URI: CATEGORIES:university-news,medical-center CLASS:PUBLIC SEQUENCE:2 DTSTAMP:20081122T073523 CREATED:20080804T145455 LAST-MODIFIED:20080804T150422 DTSTART:20080804T153200 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR