Heat headache.....

[Vibe Ray]

Have you guys ever gotten a really bad headache from workin' in the heat? What causes this? What's the best thing to do about it? Or the best way to avoid it?

[bob]

I don't get "heat headaches". But if you use common sense, drink plenty of water. You should be alright.

[CandJ]

What your describing is dehydration and the beginning of heat exhaustion. The headache is a symptom of dehydration from the heat. Treatment includes moving to a cooler environment (air conditioning) and fluid replacement. A sports drink is fine, but not too much (just enough to replace electolytes and that depends on the degree of electrolytes lost. I usually drink a quart of Gatorade with lunch, and water the rest of the day). Drinking a lot of water during the day is the best way to combat the headaches and thirst and will also serve to keep yourself cooler too.

[moonarrow]

a HEAT headace is the first sympton of an oncoming heat stroke. you need to cool off , wet a towel and wrap it around you neck and find a cool place imediatly. To avoid drink lots of water, and drink a sports drink, with electrolytes, preferably not gator aid, it is really not that good for you , it has way to much salt instead of electrolytes, something like poweraid is much better. Read the ingredients and make sure it doesn't have much salt, and plenty of electrolytes.

[mowerman90]

Just take a dip in the pool!
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1458426&a=11565384&p=40915749

[KirbysLawn]

You might be a redneck if your pool is in the back of your pick-up!

[TJLC]

Now I've seen everything. Good one mowerman90.LOL

[Davis TLC]

Do you take the pool with you Mowerman90, to you jobsites?

Vibe Ray, drink plenty of fluids preferably water and a sports drink to add back electrolytes that you sweat out. Be careful, don't become a statistic by becoming a victim of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

[CandJ]

Heat exhaustion is a milder heat illness (than heatstroke) and an acute reaction to heat exposure. It is the most common heat illness that we will see while working in hot environments, because we can lose 1 - 2 liters of water and 20 - 50 meq of sodium per hour. Replenishment of fluids and cooling will generally reverse the headaches and general weakness associated with heat exhaustion and can be done on site.

If you are suffering from Heat Stroke, you need to be checked out at the hospital. Heat stroke is a true emergency condition as the body temp is typically at least 105 degrees F, and sweating has ceased. Heat Stroke is characterized by confusion, disorientation, or loss of consciousness and possible seizures. The treatment again calls for replacement of fluids, but also aggressive rapid active cooling and a trip to the ER due to the resulting central nervous system disturbances.

[Man Joe]

Sometimes I would feel good when working but would feel thirsty.When I would drink soda I wouldn't feel as good as before drinking the soda. So I switched to water or 100% fruit juice. This solved the problem.

[GrassMaster]

Hello Everybody:

Ever since I had my Heat Stroke, it seems my water intake has more than doubled & I'm not even working in the heat anymore.

I'll be there & I get killer pains in the upper part of my neck & in the back of my eyes if I don't drink enough. When I do get the pains I drink at least 2 glasses of water & 15 to 20 minutes later it is gone. The pains sometimes appear to almost blind me. Before the Heat Stroke, I never had my pains like this in my life & True I never had a headache before this either in my life! I was around 36 years old when it happened?

I still haven't quite figured that out yet, but it works for me & my wife also has what she calls Migrains & if she drinks water, she over half the time has the pains go away TOO! :-)

BTW, I crave sweets real bad sometimes, if I drink Welches Grape drink it's gone. LOL, it also knocks out Heartburn for me TOO! Explain that!

[syzer]

I get these heat headaches all the time =(, they suck.



Chris
Precision Landscaping.

[Chopper Lover]

I think you brought up a great subject for everyone that visits this web site. Heat related injuries can be very serious and even kill. As a fireman we get refreshed every year on heat related injuries and illness. The biggest thing they teach us is to "drink, drink, drink". I am not intending to be disgusting with this comment, but we use the rule "if you urinate clear, you are hydrated to where you want to be".

Water is the best. The human body consists of about 97% water. If you are going to drink sports drinks keep this in mind, the clear ones are absorbed much faster than colored drinks. I tend to cut mine 50/50 with water.

I have included a web site that may be helpful in describing the different kinds of heat illnesses and how to maybe prevent them. Time is money, money is time. Down time is NO money... Learn what to look for and it will keep you out of trouble.

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/er/lwx/heat.htm

Good luck and remember... "Drink, drink, drink!"

Mark

PS. Should anyone have any heat related questions feel free to e-mail me and I will get the answers for you.

[MJ]

BTW, I crave sweets real bad sometimes, if I drink Welches
Grape drink it's gone. LOL, it also knocks out Heartburn for me
TOO! Explain that!

GrassMaster - I don't know how to "cut and paste" the I've seen on here. I'm not an MD and don't want to worry you, but I would get that checked out. Craving sweets can just mean you haven't outgrown candy, but can also be a symptom for another problem. While you're seeing your doctor, let him know about Welch's "taking care of" hearburn. As I said, this is in no way intended as medical advice.

Mick

[trimmer]

I get these headaches all the time and I drink a lot of water.

[greenflag]

Drink pure water. Not from just a carbon filter. A reverse osmosis system is the only way to go. You don't want to know what is in "safe" tap water. I have worked in a HOT shop (Read no wind) had the headaches. Got rid of them with pure water. The systems are expensive but well worth the money. Hope this helps. I will try to come up with the web site of the company I bought mine from.

Garry

[Paradise Yard Service]

I heard that by the time you feel the sensation of thirst you are already behind in water intake! Gallons brah, gallons! Drink plenty BEFORE going to work. Hawaii will fool you. With constant tradewinds you think you alright, when in fact you dri-in up.
P.Y.S.

[Twotoros]

If you are drinking enough then it might be allergies. I think I am to mold and dust . besides some regular headaches I have been getting migrane type6-8 times ayear for two seasons. These puppies take me out . Hate 'em.

Or maybe the US gov't is peppering us with some evil substance:)

[Lawn Medics]

As the lawnservicing business gets into high gear in the next few months we need to take care of ourselves FIRST!!
We need to consider making a first aid kit and have it readily available especially if one of us is placed in an emergent situation where time is critical and help is more than a few minutes away. Having the following items may be to your advantage in times of crisis or basic care. My wife and I are paramedics and keep the following handy.

4x4 gauze
tape
ice packs
band-aids
tweezers
scissors
roller bandages
benadryl (you may not know you're allergic 'till you get bitten)
alcohol/betadine swabs
bacitracin ointments
routine medications
cell phone if handy

Also be aware of fire/EMS stations nearby if phone not accessable in times of need. Icould go on forever but the basics can get you by. Any questions feel free to ask!!!
BE SAFE GUYS

[yrdandgardenhandyman]

a HEAT headace is the first sympton of an oncoming heat stroke. you need to cool off , wet a towel and wrap it around you neck and find a cool place imediatly. To avoid drink lots of water, and drink a sports drink, with electrolytes, preferably not gator aid, it is really not that good for you , it has way to much salt instead of electrolytes, something like poweraid is much better. Read the ingredients and make sure it doesn't have much salt, and plenty of electrolytes.


It's a shame they all (sport drinks) taste like they're made from monkey sweat. :drinkup:

[Ed Ryder]

Use sunglasses, a hat, ear protection, sunscreen and drink lots of water, even if you're not thirsty. If you get a heat headache, finish up your work and go find an air conditioned place to take it easy. Your body is telling you that something is wrong.

People do die from dehydration. It happened to an athlete in a rowing competition just a few weeks ago here in Philadelphia. He collapsed as his team crossed the finish line and took the gold. That was it for him. They couldn't revive him. It shouldn't have happened.

[Tharrell]

You need to change your work pace and habits when the temps and humidity are high. I know when to take a break from experience. Sometimes it's in the middle of a job. I'll get a tall glass of cool water or some Gatorade and find a shady spot and sit there until the sweat stops popping from my face. It works.
You also need to increase your potassium intake; bananas are good for that.
I see where you're from and I know the humidity down there is killer.
Be careful.

[Carolina Cutter]

Have you guys ever gotten a really bad headache from workin' in the heat? What causes this? What's the best thing to do about it? Or the best way to avoid it?


You are just plain and simply DEHYDRATED if this is happening to you.

[steve225]

I can't believe no one said WHERE A HAT! My doctor said your cooking your noggin and everything everyone else said.

Steve

[arborist-28]

drink more h20 ...:)

[jtrice11]

In addition to water, you need to eat, little amounts and often. Keep your blood glucose levels stable. That will help you avoid headaches and the shakes, dizziness etc...

[orangejbird]

Growing up on a farm standing on a hay rack loading, unloading, and mow-ing 25,000 bales of hay and straw each summer teaches you how to take the heat. First of all cover up your head. Gramps always bought us wide brimmed straw hats for haying and tractor work. They shade your head , eyes, and neck while letting air circulate. 2nd- light weight cotton button down shirts to wick moisture and let air circulate. 3rd - Big HOT meals "Gotta stoke the furnace in hot weather." Mom always said. This kept us thirsty and sweating as well as fueled for the work guaranteeing protection from heat exhaustion.
You need fuel to work in hot weather. Not just liquid and electrolytes.
4th - and most important liquids. We always had Thermos jugs full of ice water, lemonade or Mom's special (you're all going to ; :dizzy: at this) hot weather chocolate milk.
Nowdays, I will occasionally forget to eat lunch while working, then forget to hydrate 'cause I'm not thirsty enough and get a headache.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. :D

[Roger]

I only wear a cap, but would wear a wide-brimmed hat, IF I knew how to wear my noise-suppressing muffs with the big hat.

Any suggestions? I get a headache if I DON'T wear the muffs!

[Salamander]

Have you guys ever gotten a really bad headache from workin' in the heat? What causes this? What's the best thing to do about it? Or the best way to avoid it?

I've worked all day, every day through central Texas heat.
Sunburn really sinks the heat in (Not that I get sunburn, I just tan) so I wear long sleeve cotton shirts, wide brimmed hat and never shorts. It is MUCH cooler than short sleeve shirts. Baseball hats are just too hot and let the sun sink in on your neck.

I have a friend who had hydration problems and the doctor told him to drink a gallon of water a day. A week later the problem was worse and it turns out he was drinking 1/2 gallon twice a day and also overworked his kidneys. Doc had him drink a cup every half hour even when not sweeting and problem solved. I do the same or more often.

Also if you have shaded yards, schedule them after 1:00 if you can.

Cold water running on my arms and head for about 3 minutes and a ten minute break.

Dead help bloating in the sun loose money!

[topsites]

I get these heat headaches all the time =(, they suck.



Chris
Precision Landscaping.

800-1200 mg's Motrin ain't never failed for me, thou it is prescription strenght and you are NOT allowed to ingest the exact quantity of over-the-counter 200mg pills to achieve the desired dose.
When that doesn't work, 1600, 2400, and I've taken as much as 3,200 mg's of Motrin in a day, THAT to get rid of the pain of fractured ribs.
Only thing about Motrin is you develop a tolerance, I found out, and so I stopped taking it and nowadays I just tolerate it.
Headaches do suck thou, drink a gallon of water / day.

[Envy Lawn Service]

In addition to water, you need to eat, little amounts and often. Keep your blood glucose levels stable. That will help you avoid headaches and the shakes, dizziness etc...

You and Grassmaster need to call the Dr and schedule a blood sugar screening....

[jtrice11]

Have you guys ever gotten a really bad headache from workin' in the heat? What causes this? What's the best thing to do about it? Or the best way to avoid it?

Its a combination of dehydrations and your core body temperature rising. You can reduce the risk of it by staying hydrated, and putting a cold towel and your head and neck on breaks. Sometimes you CAN'T avoid it. If its just too damn hot, your body can't stay cool and a warning sign that you are getting into trouble is a headache and nausea.

[Mr. Magpie]

Funny thing (I am one of the those people who have a keen ability to listen to their body), I realized I was giving myself tension headaches by squinting and/or clenching my teeth while I worked. I consciously got out of the habit of doing this and I don't get headaches anymore, they literally stopped the day I figured it out. The catcher is that drinking water used to relieve these headaches which were unrelated to water intake!

I would think that a headache would normally be felt after a sense of weakness as a part of the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion/stroke. In fact, headache is not even listed as a symptom for hyperthermia in my paramedic book.

Keep this in mind as an alternative explaination for your aches.

[Envy Lawn Service]

While on this subject, I just wanted to say, a few weeks ago, I had working hard in the heat stop me for the first time ever. I have always been able to adjust my pace to a steady rate I could tolerate. I've had to stop for a quick hydration break before on days that I just wasn't sweating well enough. But never like this. I'm talking I had my first forced shutdown break.

I was sweating like a pig and working good and hard. It was 98 degrees and about the same humidity. I was sweating and wearing down. Suddenly I started to get a feeling of the chills. I knew right then I was done. I had to spend a good 25-30 minutes in the shade drinking before the sweat began to slow and I got my legs back under me good.


Now going back to the "sweating good" part. Can anybody explain to me why sometimes I sweat, but not well enough to really cool me although I am well hydrated??? But add 1-2 beers w/tad of salt added to my daily diet and I sweat great all the time???

[Mr. Magpie]

You are just plain and simply DEHYDRATED if this is happening to you.
You simply cannot make this conclusion based on the few pieces of info provided. See my previous post. Lot's of other things unrelated to heat can happen while you are in the heat.

[sweatyclippingcoveredguy]

Sorry for bumping but just had this today and just reminding everyone to be safe.

[Kidmows]

Drink more water!!!

[SouthSide Cutter]

Big hat, long sleeve shirt and loose fit. Wet towel around the neck and lots of water. Drank thirteen bottles one day and never pissed!!!!!

[chuacro]

I just stay at home, no headache

[chuacro]

I just stay at home, no headache

[tuffram]

For the next 3 days, here in central Alabama we are expected to see tempretaures around 98 to 99 degrees with a dew point of 75% to 85%. I have 6 yards to service Friday and it is going to be miserable for me.

[lukemelo216]

yup. We had about 85* here yesterday with about 65* depoints so it was nice and muggy out. I have a small chest freezer in my shop. What we do is take old juice bottles like the 1/2 gal ones or whatever they are. Fill them up with about 3/4 maybe slightly more and freeze them for at least a full day maybe even longer. Take them out in the moring and fill them up to the top with water, and then we stick them in a cooler with a ice/water mix. Enough to keep them cold and not melt really quick but, not stay a solid sheet of ice all day. This gives us nice cold water all day long, plus you dont need to bring around like 50 bottels of water, we will usually bring about 2 maybe 3 of them apeice and then i will throw a gatorade for each guy into the cooler too so that when they eat lunch they can replenish their electrolyes and get something besides water.

[32vld]

Wear a hat.

Drink two quarts of water during the day. Just keep sipping them down.

Don't skip or skimp on meals during the day.

[Ijustwantausername]

Yes I have had them. Drink milk at night (potassium) and eat a banana with it (potassium.) Drink plenty of water, like as much as you can bare and I bet they will go away. May want to add a little pinch of salt to your milk or water to help retain it a little better.

Also, wake up at 5:30 to beat the heat :)

[topsites]

Also, wake up at 5:30 to beat the heat :)

I do but by 5:40 at the latest I'm back to sawing heavy logs.

[Monster Lawn Care]

Drink more beer.
Posted via Mobile Device

[chuacro]

Yeah beer works and yogurt is the backup. I will live along time.

[lawnprosteveo]

I don't get "heat headaches". But if you use common sense, drink plenty of water. You should be alright.You can also get in trouble if you just drink water while youre sweating heavily. You lose electrolytes that need replacing. If you drink a sports drink or eat something salty along with the water, you'll do better.

[mowerbrad]

Heat emergencies are quite serious conditions that need to be dealt with properly. There are 3 types of heat emergencies; heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat cramps is the first stage, typically presenting with sweating, thirst and like the name suggests cramping of your large muscles (quads, biceps, etc.). The next to come along is heat exhaustion, this is characterized by heavy sweating, lethargy, vomitting, fainting and headaches. Heat stroke is an extreme emergency that is seen as a significant decrease in your mental status, a complete cessation of sweating and a core body temperature of over 105 degrees.

Obviously taking steps to prevent a heat emergency is your best choice. Water is your best way to stay hydrated, however, you still need to replace your lost sodium that you sweat out and also replace lost electrolytes. To replace your sodium and electrolytes you really should drink some type of sports drink like gatorade. A bottle of gatorade and lots of water every day you work in the heat is the best way for you to stay hydrated. Certain foods are also a great way for you to maintain your sodium and electrolyte balance.

Stay cool, take breaks and keep hydrated!!

[cpllawncare]

We've been in the mid to upper 90's here all week, I've been out in it and are drinking plenty of water and one or two poweraid's a day which is better than gator aid. If you start to get over heated STOP and pour some cool (NOT ICE) water on the back of your neck that is where your bodies thermostat is, you will feel better almost immediatly. I try to keep a cool rag around my neck during the day just for this reason. Get plenty of rest and don't skip meals. I'm a solo operation so I schedule as much as possible in the early hours before noon, after that I'm a done deal, I pushed it and went to three yesterday BAD IDEA!

[Green Industry Pro]

You might be a redneck if your pool is in the back of your pick-up!

I must be a redneck then D: jk jk

[Green Industry Pro]

Yea, where I live, its excruciating. The temperature has been 100+ everyday this week. It gets crazy during the summers here. You just have to dress in light colored/ lightweight clothes, drink tons of fluids (mixing sports drinks and water), take frequent breaks, eat good food (as others have mentioned). Also, pour some water on yourself or keep a cool/wet towel around your neck or something. Whatever it takes. Hopefully this helps, atleast its what I try to do. :usflag::usflag: