With temperatures soaring into the upper 90s recently and winter banished for the time being, heat stroke and heat exhaustion are now the weather-related illnesses to keep an eye out for—but would you know the difference if you saw someone with these, or know potentially what to do?

The question is not merely rhetorical. For while if possible it is always best to wait for someone trained and certified in addressing such matters, that isn't always realistic, and first aid can fall to the least likely.

Nor are heat stroke or heat exhaustion the same in symptoms, or in treatment. Recognizing each and applying the right treatment can be a matter of life or death. So what are the symptoms of each, and the resulting treatment? First up is heat stroke “Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body overheating,” the website for mayoclinic. org makes known. Usually happening “as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures,” heatstroke can occur if your body overheats to 104 Fahrenheit. So how to know?

If you or someone you know is experiencing heat stroke, symptoms may include high body temperature and an altered mental state or behavior, including slurred speech, confusion or agitating and delirium (along with seizures

See HOT OUTSIDE, Page 8

The sign at Forward Saturday June 5 registered a scorching 98 degrees, while just down the way the temperature at City Hall registered in the low 90s. Knowing the dangers of and differences between treatment for heat stroke and heat shock can make a lifesaving difference.

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and coma). Symptoms may also include alteration in sweating

with skin hot and dry to the touch, nausea and vomiting, flushed

red skin as your body overheats, rapid and shallow breathing, a racing heart rate, and headache.

Should you or someone you know be experiencing heatstroke, call 911 or your local emergency services number. In addition, you can take immediate action to cool the overheated person by getting him/her into shade or indoors, removing excess clothing, and cooling the person by whatever means available, such as a cool tub of water, a cool shower, garden hose, or sponge with cool water. Placing ice packs or cold wet towels on the person’s head, neck, armpits or groin can also be of benefit in addressing

heatstroke.

“Heat exhaustion is a condition whose symptoms may include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse,” Mayo Clinic makes known. Without prompt attention, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which is life threatening. So what are the symptoms of heat exhaustion?

In the first place, a person facing heat exhaustion may

experience cool, moist skin with goose bumps while in the heat, along with heavy sweating, faintness, Dizziness, Fatigue, a wea, and rapid pulse, Low blood pressure upon standing, muscle cramps, nausea, and headache.

If you think you or someone else may be experiencing heat exhaustion, Mayo prescribes stopping all activity and resting, along with moving to a cooler place and drinking cool water or sports drinks. Those whose symptoms don’t improve within one hour should seek medical help, with immediate attention required if the symptoms progress to heat stroke.

Otherwise, enjoy the summer, and remember: there’s no better liquid for hydration than H2O, even if other things might taste sweeter at times. Stay hydrated!