Walking around Las Vegas in the heat seems to be a "sweatless" experience. Do not be fooled. You are sweating. Due to the low humidity the sweat is gone so quickly you do not notice it. When you come out of the 100 degree temperature outside and enter a hotel or casino, your body is still hot and you may start to sweat due to air conditioning that puts a certain amount of humidity into the air. You will continue to sweat until your body no longer needs to be cooled. All the fluids lost by sweating has to be replaced by drinking lots of fluids.

Your body's defense to heat, its natural air-condition, is sweat. To put it simply, your body reacts to excessive heat and a raise in body temperature by triggering glands to secrete sweat onto your skin. The sweat evaporates into the air. The energy used for this evaporative process takes heat from the skin, thus cooling the body. Low or high humidity, when you get hot you sweat. The higher the humidity the slower and more apparent the process. The lower the humidity the quicker the evaporative process, sometime so quick you do not realize you are sweating.

If you are spending time outdoors, carry bottled water with you and drink it. Walking the strip going from hotel to hotel and not carrying water? As you enter the next resort and before you leave it, go to the bar and ask for some water. Drink up and be ready for the hike to the next place.

If you over exert yourself and allow our body temperature to rise to high, your natural air-conditioning system can fail. Some tourists have this problem due the comfortable dry heat. Because they are not overtly sweating, they do not realize that they are becoming dehydrated which can lead to heat stroke, heat exhaustion.

The best treatment for both of these heat related problems is prevention. Dealing with Las Vegas' summer heat and humidity is best dealt with by drinking lots of fluids. Water is good as are sports drinks that contain some electrolytes (salts). Drinking alcoholic beverages and those with caffeine, such as coffee, speeds up fluid loss; avoid these if you plan on going outside into the heat for any length of time. Do not spend time in hot, parked cars. Stay out of the sun, reduce physical activities in the heat. Drink lots of fluids constantly or as often as possible. Wear loose fitting, light clothing so sweat can evaporate freely and does not become trapped on your skin. Do not stay longer than 15-20 minutes in hot tubs. Drink lots of fluids.

Know the signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion and don't ignore them...and drink lots of fluids. Be especially careful if you are taking diuretics (medication to eliminate water from your system).

HEAT EXHAUSTION

Heat exhaustion develops over a period of time. Fluids and salt are lost during normal activities and exercise along with strenuous activities. Not drinking lots of fluids before, during and after activities can lead to heat exhaustion. People who are developing heat exhaustion may have a low to slightly high body temperatures. Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

Cool, clammy, pale skin
Sweating
Dry mouth
Fatigue, weakness
Dizziness
Headache
Nausea, sometimes vomiting
Muscle cramps
Weak and rapid pulse

If you suspect someone has heat exhaustion seek immediate help. Almost all security people have received training in basic first aid and deal with heat related problems all the time. If there is no one around to help, move the person out of direct sunlight and in doors or at least in the shade, preferably having the victim lay down in a cool breeze if possible. Loosen clothing to promote more effective cooling of the skin by evaporation. Encourage the person to drink fluids like cool or cold water or sports drinks if available and offer salty food if they can be tolerated. Seek professional advise or call 911 if there is any doubt about the person's condition.

HEAT STROKE

Heat stroke happens quickly once your body's air-conditioning system fails. Heat stroke is an EMERGENCY CONDITION. If left untreated heat stroke can lead to death. Signs of heat stroke include:

Very high temperature (104 degrees F or higher)
Hot, dry, red skin
No sweating
Deep breathing and fast pulse - then shallow
breathing and weak and rapid pulse
Dilated pupils
Confusion, delirium, hallucinations
Convulsions
Loss of consciousness
Nausea and/or vomiting
Weakness/dizziness

Call for help (911) immediately so emergency medical services personnel can rehydrated the victim with IV fluids as soon as possible. Do what you can to reduce the person's body temperature while waiting for help. People with heat stroke need to have their body temperature quickly reduced. Move the person out of the sun, loosen clothing and use anything at hand, including fans, ice packs and water and ice poured directly over the person's body to lower the person's body temperature. Failure to reduce body temperature can lead to organ failure and strokes.

If there is any doubt with any heat related medical problem, call 911 immediately! Better to call 911 and not need it than to need help and not get it.

If there is a place that is dedicated to excess and an over abundance of actives, Las Vegas is that place. However, common sense and moderation in activities is all most people need to avoid heat related problems. Listen to what your body is telling you. Feel weak, tired, achy? It is time to take a break, get out of the sun, sit down and drink some water for a half an hour or so. Las Vegas will still be there when your break is over.

Good luck and good health on your next trip to Las Vegas.