Parish Nurse
MARY TAYLOR MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
168 Broad Street                                                                                                          
Milford, CT 06460                                                                    
203-874-1982
mtmumc@sbcglobal.net                                                                                        
Webmaster: Comments@mtm-umc.org
NEED A RIDE?

The Parish Nursing Team
would like to provide rides to
members of our parish who
are unable to drive themselves
to the doctor’s office or for
medical tests.

We are also looking for
volunteers who are able to
drive on an occasional basis.  
If you need a ride or can help
out by driving, please call or
email the church office at
mtmumc@sbcglobal.net.

    ~submitted by Leigh Bak, MS, RN, CDE, Parish Nursing Team

            People can suffer heat-related illness when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. Your body
    normally cools itself by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating just isn’t enough. In such cases, a person’s body
    temperature rises rapidly. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs.
            Several factors affect the body’s ability to cool itself during extremely hot weather. When the humidity is high, sweat
    will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly. Other conditions that can limit the ability
    to regulate temperature include old age, youth (age 0-4), obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor
    circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug use and alcohol use. Drinking fluids, replenishing salt and minerals and
    limiting time in the heat can help.
            Heat exhaustion is the milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high
    temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are     elderly
    people, those with high blood pressure, and those working or exercising in a hot environment.
    The warning signs of heat exhaustion include the following:
  • Heavy sweating
  • Paleness
  • Muscle cramps
  • Tiredness
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fainting
           The skin may be cool and moist, the pulse rate fast and weak, and breathing will be fast and shallow. If      untreated,
    heat exhaustion may progress to heat stroke. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than one hour.
            What steps can be taken to cool the body during heat exhaustion?
  • Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages
  • Rest
  • Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath
  • Seek an air-conditioned environment & wear lightweight clothing
           Heatstroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its
    temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down.
    Body temperature may rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent   
    disability if emergency treatment is not provided. Warning signs of heat stroke vary but may include the following:
  • An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
  • Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
  • Rapid, strong pulse
  • Throbbing headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Confusion
           If you see any of these signs, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call for
    immediate medical assistance (dial 911) while you begin cooling the victim. Do the following:
    Get the victim to a shady area or air-conditioned environment.
    Cool the victim rapidly, using whatever methods you can. For example, immerse the victim in a tub of cool water; place
    the person in a cool shower; spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose; sponge the person with cool water; or
    if the humidity is low, wrap them in a cool, wet sheet and fan them vigorously.
    Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101-102°F.
    If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call the hospital emergency room for further instructions.
            
            ***Remember ***keep cool and use common sense. Prevention is the key: Drink plenty of fluid throughout the day,
    avoid alcohol, replace salts and minerals (only if advised by your physician), wear appropriate clothing and    sunscreen,
    pace yourself, stay cool indoors (with air conditioning is best), schedule outdoor activities carefully, seek shade, use a
    buddy system, monitor those at risk, and adjust to the environment.