What Is Heat-Related Illness?

Heat-related illness is a common concern for millions of Americans -- and rightfully so. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 87 people died from heat exposure in 2017, up from 37 deaths in 2015. If you work outdoors where there's little or no climate control, you should take precautions to protect against heat-related illness. But what exactly is heat-related illness?

Heat-Related Illness Explained

Also known as hyperthermia, heat-related illness is a medical condition that's characterized by a rapid rise in body temperature. A normal and healthy body temperature is approximately 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. If your body temperature drops below this temperature, you may start shivering in an attempt to warm yourself back on. If your body temperature rises above this temperature, you'll begin to sweat in an attempt to cool yourself back off.

But sweating alone isn't always enough to control your body temperature. If it's extremely humid outdoors, your body will struggle to release heat through perspiration, which may result in heat-related illness. As your body temperature rises above 98.6 degrees Fahrneheit, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Sweating
• Headache
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Delayed motor functions
• Muscle cramps

Is Heat-Related Illness Dangerous?

Heat-related illness is very dangerous. As previously mentioned, it's responsible for dozens of deaths in the United States each year. People who spend most of their time indoors are generally safe from heat-related illness. But those spend long hours under the hot midday sun may succumb to this potentially deadly medical condition.

Tips to Protect Against Heat-Related Illness

Although it's dangerous, there are ways to protect against heat-related illness. When working outdoors on a hot sunny day, remember to drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do to protect against heat-related illness because it promotes perspiration. By drinking more water, you'll sweat more, thereby releasing heat from inside your body.

In addition to drinking lots of water, you can also protect against heat-related illness by wearing lightweight and loose-fitted clothing. If you wear heavy and tight clothing, you'll inadvertently trap heat in your body, which increases the risk of heat-related illness.

For more tips on how to protect against heat-related illness, check out the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) website. It offers several tools and resources that are designed to help workers protect themselves from heat-related illness.