LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
With summer months drawing to an end, high temperatures are still an underlying factor of heat-related illnesses.
In order to prevent heat-related illnesses, it's important for individuals to understand the cause, types and symptoms associated with the heat.
"Heat stress occurs when the outside temperature is hot, and your body can not adjust for the heat," said Monica Cohen, Langley Health and Wellness Center exercise physiologist. "This generally occurs around 104 degrees. Around 108 degrees, the brain damage may occur."
Individuals can avoid heat-related illnesses by taking care of their body on and off duty, such as, getting plenty of sleep at home and drinking plenty of water, said Airman 1st Class Jasmine Dvorak, 1st Aerospace Medicine Squadron. Be careful when drinking anything with caffeine or alcohol because they are diuretics, rids the body of extra water.
A common misconception is when someone is sweating, their body is cooling itself. During times of high humidity, the air is saturated with water and sweat isn't evaporating. When sweat is evaporating, the body is being cooled; however, when the sweat is sticking to someone's skin or clothing, the body is unable to cool, said Ms. Cohen.
Because 1st Security Forces Squadron personnel have to wear extra clothing and gear, the temperatures inside the gear is thought to be five degrees higher than the outside air temperature. These higher temperatures make it more difficult for their bodies to breathe.
Also, Airmen working on the flightline are at risk for heat stress because of their exposure to the sun's rays, which reflect off the flightline. Because the flightline acts as a mirror, this causes the flightline to be 10 degrees or hotter than other places on base, said Lt. Col. Jeff Stinson, 1st AMDS flight commander.
Other causes for heat-related illnesses are not maintaining proper hydration, not taking frequent breaks and wearing improper clothing during hot, humid days, said Ms. Cohen.
Personnel on the flightline don't always pay attention to their bodies' heat stress signals, said Airman Dvorak, 1st AMDS thermal stress monitor. Therefore, the symptoms could progress into more serious health risks.
There are three severities of heat illness: heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, said Capt. James Dahle, 1st Medical Group/Urgent Care Flight doctor.
Heat cramps occur when an individual is not hydrating properly or taking frequent breaks on hot days, while working or exercising outside, said Captain Dahle.
Captain Dahle continued, heat exhaustion symptoms have set in when an individual experiences fatigue, headaches, nausea, dizziness and possibly fainting.
Heat stroke can include all of the symptoms of heat exhaustion as well as confusion, hallucinations and possibly a coma or death, said Captain Dahle.
"Twenty-one to 63 percent of people with heat stroke will die if they are not brought to a hospital within a few hours," said Captain Dahle.
"The best thing you can do is pay attention to the flag condition to prevent heat illnesses," said Airman Dvorak. "The flag warnings regulate necessary water consumption and how often the individuals should be resting while exercising or working outdoors."
For more information about thermal stress, personnel with a Common Access Card can access the Bioenvironmental Engineering Web site at https://afkm.wpafb.af.mil/ASPs/CoP/OpenCoP.asp?Filter=OO-ED-AC-49.