Suffering from heatstroke? What you should know about your body

Heatstroke is common in those states which experience only a few millimeters of rain every year. As the summer approaches, we’re so in love with the warmth, the scenery and the colorful beauty it brings, that we forget that too much of anything can be bad. While the sun might do wonders for your summer tan, heatstroke causes 300 deaths in America each year.
Heatstroke happens because of exposure to excessive heat with a lack of thermoregulation. It leads to fever, disorientation, lack of sweat, and in some cases, also causes seizures. If the condition worsens, it causes organ failure, unconsciousness and inevitably, death.

The condition can happen to anyone so it is wise to take precautions and know how you can take care of your body and understand the signals it is giving you.

Understand the symptoms

Knowing the symptoms of heatstroke is important, especially if you live in a hot and humid place. States like Texas have specific websites and organizations which provide information on heatstroke and how it can be prevented. Symptoms of heatstroke include:

• v  Body temperature of 103°F or higher
  v  Severe headache
  v  Rapid heartbeat
  v  Red, hot, dry skin
  v  No sweating
  v  Confusion
  v  Dizziness
  v  Nausea

Fainting

If a person has any of these symptoms, it is always best to call 911 immediately and wait for the ambulance. In that duration, it is essential that the person who has the heatstroke should remain under a cool shade. Take them away from the heat and cover them with a wet cloth, applying ice packs to their body, or place them in a cool tub of water to keep the body temperature below 100˚F. If it is possible, offer the affected person some cold water to drink.

Know your atmosphere

When you’re living in a hot environment, it is best to wear light-weight, light colored and loose fitting clothes to keep them from absorbing the heat. You cannot go out into the heat without expecting it to affect you in some way. There is a medical term called ‘Forgotten Baby Syndrome’, which happens when a person forgets about their child and thus, subjects them to danger. This term was coined because of the many incidents where a child was left in the rear seat of a car and forgotten, thus, subjecting them to closed spaces and congested heat. This caused many incidents of heatstroke which were fatal.

Knowing how the atmosphere affects us is important, because then, a person can take precautions to make sure that it does not affect them negatively. If the heat is excessive, avoid going outside in direct sunlight and make sure that you are well-hydrated. Many athletes who have a constant regime of outdoor exercise are often affected by heatstroke, along with those who have an active lifestyle where they spend most of their time outdoors.

Ask your doctor

As mentioned before, many states have organizations which are designated to educating people about heat-related illnesses. If a person knows that they are susceptible, they should ask their doctor about it. In Texas, there are clinics such as the Tidwell Medical Center in Tidwell, TX or the Lakewood Family Practice in Houston, TX, which cater to all the patients who want to know more about how to take care of their body and prevent heatstrokes.

When going out in the sun, sunscreen isn’t the only thing that’s important, and by taking care of your body, inside out; you can enjoy the heat while staying safe and healthy.

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Three tips to finding out which Texas hospital is best for you

If you’re living in Texas, you know how careful you have to be about your health. Summer arrives, and with it, come the wonderful months of the flu season, headaches, heat strokes and other conditions. When you cannot eat ice cream without the thought of it making you want to throw up, you know it’s time to go to the doctor. But you can’t do anything but wait, when there is already a waiting list, a mile long, just for an appointment which will hardly last for 10 minutes. Or can you?

The following tips will help you search out the best hospital to go to in Texas?

The hospital is small enough

The purpose of a large hospital is to cater to as many people as possible and while that might seem generous, it can be overburdening for the hospital itself. Having big premises means that it may be helping thousands of people but it means that the staff is working double time to meet all the expectations that a patient has from the medical facility. According to a study, a doctor spends 15 seconds listening to their patient before giving a diagnosis. Thus, when choosing a hospital, it is always best to look at the premises first; for example, the Lakewood Family Practice in Houston, TX. A small hospital means lesser patients which means that the doctors and nurses will be able to take proper care for you and will not think of you as another file in a drawer.

Patient reviews are important

Patients are given the opportunity to write their views about their experiences at hospitals, so if you want to have an in-depth look at a hospital, read the reviews. Hospitals are reviewed on the five basic aspects; attention, treatment, safety, cleanliness and experience. If a doctor gives your situation the proper attention it needs, gives a correct diagnosis following the right guidelines, works in a clean and safe manner and has enough experience to back up his or her diagnosis, then there is no one better to opt for. Many hospitals allow patients to write reviews about the doctors and staff on their website, so you can get a first-hand look at how they work without any bias.

Choose a hospital which is near you

This obvious tip is often overlooked. In case of emergencies, you need to visit the closest hospital possible, and although they may be convenient in such times; since they do not have the patient’s history, it can cause problems. Choose a hospital with the right criteria in mind and make sure that it is near enough so that you can easily get there following a well-travelled route. If you live in Splendora, TX, choose a proper hospital in the city, such as the East Montgomery County Clinic, instead of searching for one in the nearby cities.

Choosing the right hospital in your home town can be difficult since there are so many options to choose from, but by keeping the right information in mind, you can choose one which is the most convenient and trustworthy for you and your family.

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