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Community

Welcome to MMR's Community Front Page - dedicated to sharing timely information important to you.

Our quarterly feature addresses Summertime Safety Tips.

Summertime in Michigan is a great time to be outside. It's sunny, blue skies and the kids are out of school. Whether you're headed up north for fun camping or on the lake, staying healthy is easy. Take some precautions to make sure your summer is as safe as it is fun. Recognizing signs of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke can keep you and the ones you love safe.

DEHYDRATION SYMPTOMS:

Recognizing dehydration symptoms starts with an understanding of dehydration. Victims of dehydration do not have enough fluid (water) in their bodies to get nutrition and oxygen to the tissues of their bodies. In most cases, victims can correct dehydration by drinking water. Symptoms include:

Dizziness
Headache
Inability to urinate
Dry mouth and nose
Weakness
Nausea and vomiting

In children:

Dry mouth and tongue
No tears when crying
No wet diapers for 3 hours or more
Sunken abdomen, eyes or cheeks
High fever

Although water is extremely important in preventing dehydration, it does not contain electrolytes. To maintain electrolytes, you could have broth, soups, fruit juices, soft fruits and vegetables. For children, special rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte, Ceralyte and Infalyte are available at grocery stores without a prescription. Untreated, dehydration may lead to shock. Call 911 for a dehydrated victim suffering from confusion, dizziness or weakness.

HEAT EXHAUSTION

Heat exhaustion is cuased by an increase in core body temperature often coupled with fluid loss (dehydration). It's important to recognize heat exhaustion early and seek treatment as quickly as possible. It does not need to be hot outside for heat exhaustion to occur. Many victims develop it just from exertion. Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke if not treated in time. Signs and symptoms include:

Weakness
Dizziness
Warm, moist and pale skin
Nausea and vomiting

Make sure the patient has an airway and is breathing. Follow the ABC's of First Aid. Move the victim to a cooler environment right away. Shade is better than sun, air conditioning is better than outside, etc. The cooler the better. Remove the victim's clothing to encourage heat loss. If the victim is conscious and able to follow commands, he or she can drink fluids to rehydrate. If the victim is unable to follow commands or is vomiting, call 911 immediately!

HEAT STROKE

Heat stroke occurs when heat exhaustion is left untreated and the victim's core body temperature continues to rise. Heat stroke is a severe emergency that can lead to coma, irreversible brain damage and death. Learn to recognize heat stroke and treat the victim aggressively to prevent further injury. Signs or symptoms include:

Coma or confusion
Hot, flushed, dry skin
Deep, rapid breathing
Possibly seizures

Call 911 immediately. Assure that the victim has an airway and is breathing, follow the ABC's of First Aid. Move the victim to a cooler environment right away. Shade is better than sun, air conditioning is better than outside, etc. The cooler the better. Remove the victim's clothing to encourage heat loss. Put ice on the armpits, groin and neck area. Cool the victim as aggressively as possible. Do not give the victim of heat stroke anything to drink.

MMR First Aid Guide