Tag Archives: stay hydrated

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

KEEPING OUTDOOR WORKERS SAFE THIS SUMMER

Although it is still snowing in the Northeast, warmer weather is making its presence felt in other areas of the United States. Those fearless firemen in California have really had a “hot” job, fighting all the fires lately. It is sad to think that someone set those on purpose. The risks that the response teams go through, as well as loss of homes and innocent animals  living in those homes, in addition to wildlife, causes us to hope that they catch the perpetrators soon. 

Besides firemen, there are so many others who work outdoors every day. Gradually becoming acclimated to warmer temperatures helps them adjust easier. It pays for workers to watch out for each other, because there may be a co-worker who is older, or one in bad health that may fall victim to a heat stroke or heat fatigue. 

Those workers should be trained in first aid and know what to do in each situation. If they suspect someone has had a heat stroke, here’s suggestions on what to do: 

  • Call for emergency medical help immediately.
  • Move person to a half-sitting position in the shade.
  • If humidity is below 75%, spray victim with water and vigorously fan. If humidity is above 75%, apply ice packs on neck, armpits or groin. 

Here are some symptoms of heat stroke:

  • In severe heatstroke, the victim can go into a coma in less than one hour. The longer the coma lasts, the lower the chance for survival.
  • The victim’s body feels extremely hot when touched.
  • Altered mental status (behavior) ranging from slight confusion and disorientation to coma.
  • Conscious victims usually become irrational, agitated, or even aggressive and may have seizures.

Heat exhaustion is characterized by heavy perspiration with normal or slightly above normal body temperatures, the result of dehydration. Heat exhaustion affects workers and athletes who do not drink enough fluids while working or exercising in hot environments.
Heat cramps are painful muscular spasms that happen suddenly, affecting legs or abdominal muscles. They usually happen after physical activity in people who sweat a lot or have not had enough fluids. Many times you will see athletes that are given Gatorade to replenish fluids and electrolytes. If you think someone is having heat cramps, have them drink cool (not cold) water or a sports drink, lie or sit in the shade, and stretch the affected muscles. Caffienated drinks or alcohol will contribute to dehydration.  Workers wouldn’t have alcohol on the job, but others who are outdoors on recreational activities should limit their intake in extremely hot situations.

Outdoor workers should have a good supply of water on hand, wear sunscreen, long-sleeved shirts, and a hat, or hardhat, depending on the occupation. There are attachments made to fit hardhats to create more of a shade, and even an attachment to protect the back of the neck. Be sure to take plenty of breaks in the shade if possible, and try to begin work earlier in the day in order to finish before it gets too hot. 

These tips apply not only to workers, but to all who enjoy being outdoors during the warm months for summer activities, camping, boating, athletic events, or working in the yard. It pays to protect oneself. Extreme heat can catch up with anyone, no matter how strong they are, if they don’t take care of themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues

AVOID IN-FLIGHT FLU AND OTHER AIRLINE HEALTH HAZARDS

Avoid In-Flight Flu and Other
Airline Health Hazards
Since Memorial Day weekend is a big time for air travel, I want to take the opportunity to discuss some little-known risks.
Heather RobsonHeather Robson has worked as a journalist and researcher in the alternative health industry for seven years. She’s worked closely with a number of doctors, helping them to develop informative newsletters that keep their readers abreast of the wide array of choices available when it comes to their health. Heather avoids embracing a single ideology when it comes to health care. Instead, she analyzes the research and facts with as little bias as possible, so that you can get the best information available!
 
Today, just stepping inside an airplane puts your health at greater risk than ever before. I’m not talking about airline accidents, and I don’t even mean the potential health dangers (or privacy invasions) associated with backscatter x-ray devices.
I’m referring to the incredibly high risk of getting sick from spending time inside a high-tech, aerodynamic germ trap. When you travel by plane, you are instantly 100 times more likely to catch a cold or come down with the flu than if you’d stayed grounded. Yes, 100 times!
 
Serious Medical Issues Stem from Air Travel
With more international flights and dangerous diseases like measles bouncing from country to country via plane, you have to worry about more serious illnesses, too – not that the flu can’t be deadly serious.
Air travel also puts you at higher risk of a life-threatening pulmonary embolism – even if you’ve never been diagnosed with heart disease or circulation problems.
Frequent flying can damage your hearing… and even jet lag is tied to some nasty, long-term health risks.
Even with all the dangers, I certainly don’t recommend that you forego flying. If you need to get somewhere far away, there’s just not a more convenient way to go. So, instead of cancelling your travel plans, let’s take a look at what you can do to protect yourself when you fly…
The Most Common Flight Risk
More than anything else, when you fly you risk being laid up with a cold or the flu. Even though these illnesses are typically minor, they’re no fun and best avoided if possible.
When you fly, make sure you drink lots of water. The low humidity in the cabin dries out your nasal passages, which makes it easier for viruses to gain a foothold in your body and make you sick. You can combat this effect by staying hydrated.
You don’t have to guzzle gallons of water, but sip on water often – before and during your flight.
You can also help to prevent colds by using a nasal mist, by keeping your hands clean (I’m not a major advocate of hand sanitizers, but I make an exception when flying), and by taking extra vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin A leading up to a trip.
Protect Yourself from Dangerous Blood Clots
Protect against Blood Clots
When you fly, the changes in pressure, the prolonged inactivity, and even the extra-dry air may cause what is known as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. Many doctors believe that air flight causes changes in your circulation that trigger small blood clots to form in your legs, particularly on long flights where you may be inactive for hours.
Sometimes one of these clots is big enough to block the flow of blood to the rest of your leg. When that happens, your leg begins to ache and may swell. The real danger is if one of these clots breaks free and lodges in the artery that leads to your lungs. That’s a pulmonary embolism, and it can be deadly.
People at the highest risk of DVT are those who have cancer or heart disease, who are overweight, who have been sick, or who have had a recent surgery. Taking hormone-altering drugs can also increase your risk. You can reduce your risk by making it a point to move around during your flight.
Here a few health tips to consider before your next flight:
  • Wear loose-fitting clothes.
  • Go for a stroll– stand up and walk around the cabin at least once every hour.
  • Stretch in your seat. Twist and look over one shoulder and hold the stretch. Then twist the other way. Circle your ankles to stretch your calves. Pull one knee toward your chest and hold it for a moment. Then do the other. Stretch often during the flight. If you use the restroom, take an extra minute to do some bigger stretches while you’re up.
  • Try to select a seat with extra leg room or opportunities to get up. An aisle seat, an exit row seat, or a business-class or first-class seat can all give you extra space and mobility. Seat upgrades can cost you extra, but they may be worthwhile in terms of comfort and health.
  • Drink lots of water.
  • Take a brisk walkthrough the airport during your layovers.
  • Wear support socksdesigned to help circulation.
  • Consider wearing a filter mask, especially on international flights, or when travelling through airports with large numbers of international passengers (Miami, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington Dulles come to mind).
If you do have any signs or symptoms of DVT in the days following air travel, see a doctor right away.
Prevent Hearing Damage
The constant roar of a jet’s engines can eventually take a toll on your hearing, especially if you’re a frequent flyer. In this case, protection is simple. Just invest in a pair of noise reduction headphones and wear them for the better part of the flight.
Don’t Let Jet Lag Wear You Down
Jet Lag
A long-term health risk associated with flying is jet lag. When you travel across time zones, you can mix up your internal clock and your sleep patterns. The short-term risks of jet lag include headaches, nausea, and insomnia. Long-term risks of frequent jet lag include cognitive decline and mood disorders. It can also contribute to heart disease and certain cancers.
You can minimize the impact of jet lag on your body by gradually adjusting your sleep schedule during the week before a trip. Make sure you get a full night’s sleep before you depart. Once you board the plane, set your watch to your new time zone. Once you arrive at your destination, get outside and walk around. Don’t go to bed until a normal time for the time zone you’re in. And, one more time… stay hydrated. It will help you adjust more quickly.
Being able to fly from one destination to the next is a major convenience and not one that I’m willing to give up. By following the tips here, you can make sure that you stay healthy before, during, and after your trip.
Happy Memorial Day,
Heather Robson
Heather Robson, HealthEdge
P.S. – Growing levels of international travelers into America (including illegal aliens streaming across our southern border) have triggered a health crisis involving dozens of truly nasty diseases that had long since been eradicated in the U.S. This should end.

 Thanks to my friends who sent me this article to share with you.  He is a retired commercial airline pilot, and she has done her share of flying.  We know it is easy to pick up “bugs” when we travel, but Heather has pointed out ways to avoid it, and how to return home as healthy as when you left.  pb
 Lee Bellinger’s HealthEdge, a free supplemental email newsletter to Independent Living