NHS issues heat exhaustion warning – the 10 signs you’re at risk and what to do
THOUSANDS of Brits are at risk of heat exhaustion because of the hot weather, the NHS warns.
More than 100,000 people visited the health service’s advice page for heatstroke this week, compared to around 34,000 during the previous seven days.
A heat alert across England was this week extended until Monday, with health bosses pleading with the public to be sensible as temperatures reached 30C.
Duncan Burton, of NHS England, said: “There is a high risk of heat exhaustion during hot weather especially among children, older people and those with long-term conditions.”
“The NHS website has a range of useful information pages aimed at helping people keep themselves and their loved ones safe during hot weather.
“Keeping the body cool and drinking plenty of fluids is vitally important,
“Dressing sensibly, using high-factor sun screen and limiting the amount of time you spend in the sun are also essential to avoid the risk of sunburn and to prevent skin cancer.”
He said people suffering heat exhaustion should be cooled down and given water to see if their condition improves after half an hour.
If not, they should seek medical attention by calling 111 or 999 in an emergency, he said.
The UK Health Security Agency extended a yellow heat alert across all regions of England on Tuesday until this Monday at 9am.
NHS medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said the health service was under strain because of a combination of the hot weather and the three-day junior doctors strike.
The health service heat exhaustion page offers guidance on symptoms, which include tiredness, dizziness, feeling sick, and fast breathing or a racing heartbeat.
The number of people seeking heat rash or prickly heat advice has also almost doubled, from 34,478 to 67,132 page visits during the same time periods.
What are the signs of heat exhaustion and what should I do?
The signs of heat exhaustion include:
- tiredness
- dizziness
- headache
- feeling sick or being sick
- excessive sweating and skin becoming pale and clammy or getting a heat rash, but a change in skin colour can be harder to see on brown and black skin
- cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
- fast breathing or heartbeat
- a high temperature
- being very thirsty
- weakness
If someone has heat exhaustion, follow these 4 steps:
- Move them to a cool place.
- Remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks.
- Get them to drink a sports or rehydration drink, or cool water.
- Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs, wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck are good too.
Source: The NHS