Summer Health and Safety Tips: Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

Springtime leading into summertime and the warmer weather that comes along with these seasons has always been a great excuse for Canadians to get outdoors more often. However, with the beautiful summertime weather that Canada has to offer, that also means higher than normal temperatures and humidity from time to time, and with those higher temperatures comes the increased potential for health risks associated with overexposure to sources of ultraviolet radiation such as sunlight. While temperatures in the summertime will vary across different regions in Canada, the consequences can turn out to be extremely detrimental to your health. By following a few simple steps you will not only avoid an emergency room visit, but also still be able to enjoy the nicer weather.

Overexposure to the sun can cause everything from sunburn to hyperthermia. Hyperthermia occurs when your body is unable to cool itself down to its core temperature (normally between 36.5°C and 37.5°C), overheating as a result. Hyperthermia will present itself in two different ways: As heat exhaustion or as heat stroke. Being in hot weather and sunlight for a protracted amount of time causes these conditions. While heat exhaustion and heat stroke have similar characteristics, they are also differentiated by their symptoms.

With heat exhaustion, some of the potential symptoms include dizziness, headaches, nausea, muscle cramps, shallow breathing, and profuse sweating. Immediately removing oneself from sunlight and into shade, as well as keeping hydrated, can help to relieve these symptoms. Whereas heat stroke is a serious and potentially fatal condition. The onset of heat stroke can be sudden, and includes symptoms of a body temperature above 40°C, restlessness, hot or flushed skin, deteriorating mental function, unconsciousness, and in some cases can even lead to death. The risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke is greater for infants, seniors, and those who have been diagnosed with chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases or lung problems.

To avoid coming down with heat-related illnesses, Dr. Ali Ghahary of Brentwood Medical Clinic recommends that you keep yourself cool and remain hydrated, especially before and after any outdoor physical activity, in addition to paying close attention to local weather reports and avoid exposure to extreme heat conditions whenever possible. If your work includes being outdoors for prolonged periods of time, it is important to take breaks, go in areas where there is more shade (which can be up to 5°C cooler than being in direct sunlight), and always pay close attention to how you are feeling. If you notice any symptoms related to heat exhaustion or heat stroke then you should see a physician right away.

Associated Symptoms and Treatment Options for Multiple Sclerosis

Affecting almost 3 million individuals worldwide and 200 out of every 100,000 Canadians, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an oftentimes unpredictable, unbearable and debilitating disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS) by attacking the myelin sheath, a layer that protects the nerve cells and nerve fibers, resulting in damage to the body’s nerve signals and making the body unable to properly receive the essential guidance necessary to perform every-day tasks such as walking, speaking, seeing and learning. MS can have a crippling effect on one’s energy levels and quality of life. While the root cause of MS remains a mystery, research has indicated that genetics and environmental factors may play a significant part in the immobilizing manifestations that are associated with this autoimmune disorder.

Image Source: Häggström, Mikael. "Medical gallery of Mikael Häggström 2014". Wikiversity Journal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.008. ISSN 20018762.

Most prevalent in people between the ages of 15 and 40, and 3x more likely to occur in women than men, symptoms of MS, as outlined below, tend to develop slowly over time. At Brentwood Medical Clinic, Dr. Ali Ghahary works closely with patients to find applicable and effective treatment for these MS-related symptoms.

Balance, vertigo and dizziness are all common symptoms of MS and may be permanent. Tremors and poor coordination also co-exist with these symptoms.

Bladder and bowel dysfunction; this includes incontinence, constipation and diarrhea due to the interruption of the body’s neural pathways. Treatment varies from urinary suppressants to stool softeners. Bladder and bowl functions should improve within 3 to 4 weeks of receiving appropriate treatment.

Cognitive impairment affects 40 to 70 percent of those diagnosed with MS and is one of the earliest manifestations associated with the disorder.

Gait (difficulty walking) is a symptom associated with MS due to several factors including balance problems, spasticity and muscle weakness, with physical and occupational therapy being the chosen treatment methods for these symptoms.

Pain affects 50% of those with MS and can take several forms such as fibromyalgia, facial pain, spinal pain, muscle pain and migraine headaches. Anti-convulsants are typically prescribed to help nerve-related pain associated with MS.

Sensory impairment, numbness and tingling are the most common sensory symptoms and manifest in one or more limbs as feelings of tightness, weakness, pain, aching or burning sensations due to inflamed or damage nerve pathways.

Uthoff’s Phenomena also known as heat intolerance is associated with an increase in the core body temperature. Triggers include bathing or showering with hot water, exercise, exposure to sunlight, and fevers. Emotion and fatigue can also play a part in affecting the core body temperature.

Optic neuritis, otherwise known as inflammation of the optic nerve, will present as blurred vision or loss of vision, usually in one eye. You may also notice pain with eye movement as well as see flashes of light and notice eye sensitivity.

Depression and anxiety is more prevalent in people diagnosed with MS and is typically a reaction due to the initial diagnosis and a result of associated and oftentimes debilitating symptoms of the disease. A regimen of anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications and counseling are beneficial to patients diagnosed with MS.

Other treatments for MS include Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs), a class of drugs that will target the inflammatory symptoms associated with MS in effort to reduce the severity and frequency, in addition to Symptom Management Therapies such as painkillers, and Relapse Management Therapies (RMTs), which include the use of steroids. It is important to note that Relapse Management Therapies should only be used short-term due to their ability to cause irritability, difficulty sleeping, worsening kidney and liver function, and other severe side effects.