IT'S SUMMER, SO DRINK UP! (BUT MAKE THAT DRINK WATER)

Raymond Menv, an employee at LT Masonry, had the hot, dusty job of cleaning up concrete debris. The company was helping build an addition to St. Paul Lutheran School in Jackson.

Summertime. It's time for lazy days and cool drinks. It's also time for garden work, construction, tree-trimming and many, many outdoor sports.

As summer settles its hot, steamy breath across Southeast Missouri, residents need to be aware of the warning signs of heat-related illnesses.

Heat and humidity interfere with the body's natural cooling process. The major dangers of extremely hot weather are dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

These risks increase when the humidity is above 70 percent and the temperature is greater than 70 degrees, both common occurrences in Missouri's sticky Bootheel.

Perspiration and evaporation of perspiration are the primary means for the body to cool during exercise. An individual who is acclimatized to heat may perspire almost twice as much as an unacclimated person.

The best defense against heat injury is hydration. In other words, drink up.

Drink before, during and after exercise. Doctors recommend about 8 ounces of fluid for every 20 minutes of exercise. Water is the best choice. After exercising drink more than you think you need, especially if you are over 40. Drink before going to sleep and drink when you wake up.

Don't count coffee, beer or any drinks containing caffeine or alcohol as part of your fluid consumption. They act as diuretics and will cause an overall fluid loss.

Weigh yourself every morning after using the bathroom. If your body weight is two pounds lower than normal in the morning, you may be dehydrated and need to drink more water before doing any vigorous physical activity. (Remember, you may have lost weight as water, but not as fat.)

If you plan to exercise, wear very light, comfortable clothing and work out in the early morning or late evening, if possible.

Don't overestimate your level of fitness.

Recognizing heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is caused by dehydration. Body temperature is usually between 100 and 102 degrees and profuse sweating is evident.

Symptoms:

--Heavy sweating

--Cold, clammy skin

--Dizziness

--A rapid pulse

--Headache

--Chills

--Flushed appearance

--Nausea

Treatment: Get the individual to a cool, shaded area and administer fluids either by mouth, if conscious, or IV if the individual is unconscious. Seek medical treatment.

Recognizing heat stroke:

Heat stroke is caused by the sudden failure of the body's thermoregulatory system and can be fatal. It initially appears similar to heat exhaustion, but may rapidly progress and show more serious neurological symptoms. The body temperature may be higher than 104.

Symptoms:

--Warm, dry skin with no sweating

--Low blood pressure

--Seizures

--Disorientation

--Unconsciousness

--High fever

--A slow pulse

--Ashen or gray skin

These are the individuals who get packed in ice. Rapid medical attention is vital.