Extreme Heat- What to Drink ?

Extreme Heat- What's Best to Drink
It's important to drink water during times of heat and activity. However, if you are an athlete doing prolonged exercise in the heat and gulping down lots of water, there is another risk to consider.
Hyponatremia, also called water intoxication, is when a person literally drinks too much water, too quickly. This over-dilutes the sodium in your blood. Warning signs include nausea, muscle cramps, slurred speech, and confusion. For hours of exertion in the heat, a sports drink, which replaces sodium and other electrolytes, is a better choice than plain water. If, however, you are out for a 20- to 30-minute walk, water is best.

Signs of Heat Illnesses

In summer we can never talk to much about the HEAT. Signs of Heat Illnesses to keep an eye on. Where do you live and play? Are you in a heat wave? Learn the signs of heat illnesses. If you experience heat rash and cramps, seek cooler temperatures, replace lost fluid and stretch out the cramps.


Heat stroke and exhaustion are far more serious, even deadly. They happen when the body can no longer cool itself properly.

Signs of heat exhaustion

Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps and weakness. Signs of heat stroke are red, hot and dry skin (no sweating); rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea; and high body temperature.
Anyone with these symptoms should move out of the heat, begin sipping fluids, and seek emergency medical attention.

From our friends at Mission Hospital! Mission Hospital is part of the Stanford Heart Network

Catch Hemochromatosis Early- Part 1

Hemochromatosis is one of the most common inherited (genetic) diseases in the United States. It is a disease in which too much iron builds up in the body. This extra iron is toxic to the body and can damage organs. If hemochromatosis is not treated, it can eventually lead toillness or even death. Most people inherit the condition from their
parents; however, signs and symptoms don't often appear until ages 40 to 60. If your family medical history includes one or more blood relatives with hemochromatosis, alert your doctor as soon as possible. If caught early, treatment is often successful. Learn more tomorrow in part two of this series.

Stanford Heart Network, presented by Mission Hospital! Mission Hospital is part of the Stanford Heart Network.