Jeanne Palmer, Health Education Information Manager, for the Clark County Health Department, says people in the Las Vegas area need to drink more water during the summer than the recommended eight glasses a day. Palmer says people should be weary when consuming caffeinated beverages and alcohol, since caffeine and alcohol are both diuretics which could lead to dehydration and heat exhaustion. She also suggests wearing hats, loose fitting, lightweight clothing and sunscreen during the day. In addition to drinking plenty of fluids and dawning the proper attire, both Palmer and Bernick recommend limiting exercise and other strenuous activities to the early morning hours or after the sun sets when temperatures are cooler. If the common-sense approach does not work and the body experiences problems managing heat, Bernick says an individual will sometimes become anxious, suffer from a sudden headache, nausea, vomiting, intense fatigue, confusion and sometimes cramping.
Heat exhaustion is usually reversible if the body is cooled off right away.
However, if left untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to the breakdown of muscle fibers, kidney failure, cardiovascular problems, loss of consciousness and a drop in blood pressure. In more severe cases heat exhaustion can cause changes in blood composition, clotting abnormalities and death. Bernick says most people who have lived in Las Vegas for a long time know how to manage their lives around the summer heat. He worries more about newcomers who may not realize how severe 112 degrees in the shade really is. Click here .