WE HAVE AIR CONDITIONING!!!!

In the midst of this uncharacteristic Seattle heat wave, beat the heat and stabilize your body by making sure you are keeping cool! Severe heat may cause illness or even death. When temperatures rise to extreme highs, reduce risks by taking the following precautions. Follow these tips adapted from the Washington State Department of Health:

Reduce the risk of heat stroke and heat exhaustion:
• Stay indoors and in an air-conditioned environment as much as possible unless you're sure your body has a high tolerance for heat.
• Drink plenty of fluids but avoid beverages that contain alcohol, caffeine or a lot of sugar.
• Eat more frequently but make sure meals are balanced and light.
• Never leave any person or pet in a parked vehicle.
• Avoid dressing babies in heavy clothing or wrapping them in warm blankets.
• Check frequently on people who are elderly, ill or may need help. If you might need help, arrange to have family, friends or neighbors check in with you at least twice a day throughout warm weather periods.
• Make sure pets have plenty of water.
• If you take prescription diuretics, antihistamines, mood-altering or antispasmodic drugs, check with a doctor about the effects of sun and heat exposure.
• Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun. Awnings or louvers can reduce the heat entering a house by as much as 80 percent.

If you go outside:
• Plan strenuous outdoor activities for early or late in the day when temperatures are cooler; then gradually build up tolerance for warmer conditions.
• Take frequent breaks when working outdoors.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sun block and light-colored, loose-fitting clothes when outdoors.
• At first signs of heat illness (dizziness, nausea, headaches, muscle cramps), move to a cooler location, rest for a few minutes and slowly drink a cool beverage. Seek medical attention immediately if you do not feel better.
• Avoid sunburn: it slows the skin's ability to cool itself. Use a sunscreen lotion with a high SPF (sun protection factor) rating.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes. A cool shower immediately after coming in from hot temperatures can result in hypothermia, particularly for elderly or very young people.

Be creative! Apart from these important suggestions, there are any number of ways to keep cool. At night, open doors and windows to draw cool air in. Use strategically placed box fans to pull cool air in or draw hot air out. Jump into Lake Washington, pick up a kiddie-pool at Target, keep a spray bottle on hand to mist yourself, or rinse off in a cool shower. Keep well hydrated by drinking the recommended 8 glasses of water a day. If you don’t have air conditioning, run your furnace fan to help distribute air throughout the house. If you have a window unit, don’t overload it by using it to cool the whole house. Choose one room to close off and cool down from the rest of your house as a “personal cooling center.” If you have trouble falling asleep at night, slip an ice pack underneath your pillow to cool your head down.

And remember, WE HAVE AIR CONDITIONING!!! Here at Northgate Chiropractic 
Keep your appointment with us as a way to cool down!