Heat-related illnesses are in the forecast*

By Beth Sussman and Angela Haupt, USA TODAY

As temperatures soar past 100 across the country, doctors say that
adults and children must heed the warning signs of heat-related illnesses.

Each summer, about 20 in 1,000 Americans suffers from a heat-related
illness, and that number is on the rise as the population ages, says
James Glazer, assistant director of sports medicine at Maine Medical
Center in Portland.

FORECAST: Intense heat bakes USA

Experts say warning signs include muscle cramps, headaches, fever,
nausea, fatigue and decreased urine output. They could signal the onset of:

• Dehydration, which occurs when the body does not take in enough fluid.

"For the most part, it's easily managed," says Michael Lopez of the
Washington State Department of Health. "It's caused by environmental
exposure to heat, and it can happen just from sitting in a non-air
conditioned room."

Bill Howard of Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore says dehydration can
be dangerous because it can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

• Heat exhaustion, which occurs when the body cannot sweat enough to
bring down its temperature.

• Heat stroke, a potentially fatal condition that occurs if heat
exhaustion is untreated and body temperature tops 104 degrees.

There have been some well-publicized cases of wilting celebrities. In
July, R&B star Kelly Rowland collapsed from dehydration while performing
at the ThisDay music festival in Nigeria. She was treated at a nearby
Lagos hospital.

Actress Nicole Richie was treated for dehydration in March and Lindsey
Lohan collapsed from heat stroke and dehydration on a movie set in December.

"The thing is, you don't have to be a celebrity or a high-profile person
to experience these things," says Greg Jantz, director of the Center for
Counseling & Health Resources in Edmonds, Wash.,. "It happens to us all."

The elderly and young children are more vulnerable to the heat, but
anyone can suffer from heat exhaustion, even those who are physically
fit, says James King, a family physician in Selmer, Tenn. and
president-elect of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

King recommends drinking plenty of water — before, during and after
outdoor activities. "You need to drink significantly more than what you
think you need to most of the time."

But this safety tip is not meant to be taken to extremes, says Glazer.
Some people, especially athletes, can drink too much water, leading to
hyponatremia, a condition that can cause seizures.

"People should be encouraged to drink enough, but drinking as much as
you can probably isn't healthy," Glazer says. "Moderation is the best
approach."

If you are experiencing symptoms, move to a cool place and drink sports
drinks or water, doctors recommend.

"A lot of the time, these things occur because of stupidity," Howard
says. "If you're going to be out in the heat, take care of yourself. If
you get hot, cool off. If you get thirsty, drink."