Windsor-Essex County Health Unit
It ’ s hot outside and a nice cold beer would really quench your thirst , right ? Wrong ! Beer , like all alcoholic beverages , dehydrates your body , putting you at risk for a heat-related illness . Caffeinated drinks also dehydrate your body . Alcoholic and caffeinated drinks cause you to urinate more than usual and heat makes you sweat . Therefore , drinking alcohol in extreme heat puts you at risk for dehydration . If you want to drink wine , beer or spirits when it ’ s hot outside , follow Canada ’ s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines :
• For every one drink of alcohol , drink one glass of water . Keep in mind that one 341 ml ( 12 oz .) bottle of 5 % alcohol beer has as much alcohol as 43 ml ( 1.5 oz .) of 40 % distilled spirits , or a 142 ml ( 5 oz .) glass of 12 % alcohol wine .
• Drink slowly . Have no more than two drinks in a three-hour period .
• Eat before and while you ’ re drinking . Eat foods such as raw fruits and vegetables which are high in water and vitamins .
• Pay attention to how alcohol makes you feel , especially if you have health problems or are taking medications . Alcohol may interact with certain medications and those interactions may be magnified in extreme heat .
• Set a reasonable limit for the amount of alcohol you plan to drink and stick to it .
Keep in mind that alcohol impairs your judgement , so you may not realize you ’ re getting dehydrated or feeling the effects of the heat . You can prevent a heat illness by following these tips to stay cool :
• Drink plenty of water
• Go to an air-conditioned place
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and lightweight , loose-fitting clothing
• Take a cool bath or shower
• Limit outdoor activities to the coolest part of the day If you ’ re hosting an outdoor event ,
For more information check out www . staycoolwindsor-essex . com and www . rethinkyourdrinking . ca
make sure you provide shaded areas for your guests and have drinks available that hydrate the body .
Heat illness often starts with heat edema , heat rash and heat cramps . This can progress to heat exhaustion and heat stroke . These are the signs and symptoms to look for : Heat Edema
• Swelling of the hands and feet
Prickly Heat or Heat Rash
• An area of small , itchy spots on the skin
Heat Cramps
• Painful muscle contractions following exercise in the heat . Cramps begin an hour or more after you stop exercising . Most often affects the muscles in the calves , thighs and stomach
Heat Exhaustion
• Cool , moist , pale , flushed or red skin
• Heavy sweating
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Exhaustion
• Body temperature may be normal Anyone with these symptoms should find a cool place to rest and drink plenty of fluids . Heat Stroke
• Hot , red and dry skin
• Changes in consciousness
• Rapid , weak pulse
• Rapid , shallow breathing
• Body temperature may be very high
Heat stroke , also known as sunstroke , is a medical emergency . Anyone showing signs of heat stroke should go to a hospital right away . Brain damage and death can occur if the body isn ’ t cooled quickly .
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6 The HUB - August 2013