Kidney failure

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ok last week i was on a job in which i got seriously overheated to the point i was goin into kidney failure. Ive been out in this stuff (weather) all my life. Im only 33. Im good now after a day in the hospital. The only reason I was out in that kind of heat (100+) was because I arrived later than I wanted to so I worked later than I would have liked to. Any advice fellas? Thanks. Next time it just might take me out.
Reply:What type of job? In the sun? Indoors? Ventilation? If you let us know a little about your environment we can help, there are a lot of guys on here in the same boat! (Maybe not the kidney failure part) I'm sure we can come up with a way to keep you cool!!Real welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!
Reply:I'm a huge fan of taking 10min breaks every 30-40 min after the temp hits 90-95 (that's normally about 11am). If it's a real bad day I'll wear a damp rag under my hat or my shirt, water leaches heat 10x quicker than air. I understand this can't always be done when welding but even on your breaks, if its that bad pour water on your head and hit the fan to cool down quickly.And lots and lots of drinking water, dry heat pulls moisture out of your dody even if your not sweating!Real welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!
Reply:Sounds like you weren't staying hydrated.  Dan gives a lot of good advice on staying cool in the heat.I like having a bandana to dip in water and lay around my neck.  Also like to dip my welding cap in water.  If you can keep your head cool you are a step ahead of most.Probably the best advice my dad ever gave me was "don't try to be a hero".  Working hours on end is admirable but in the heat (especially when welding) it can kill you.Question:  Did your mouth start getting dry before you realized you were in trouble?GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:yeah here in texas the weather can fluctuate depending on the area. Im normally in north central texas which is a slight "mugginess" with the heat. The climate in west texas as everyone who has been there longer than 5 min. knows that the heat there is a dry heat. I hydrated constantly and it still kicked me in the nuts
Reply:Oh Gravel, it went south hard. I use snuff (smokeless tobbacco) so its sometimes hard for me to tell if my mouth was dry but man I just started feeling like total s*#$ so fast. I was suckin down fluids as much as possible (threw it all up). I also had an umbrella shade over me. I went back to sit in the cab with the ac blowing for a good while. I wouldnt have stayed quite as long as I did but I had gotten there later than I wanted due to poor directions. I HATE letting folks down, the guy told me he'd like the job done that same day and I wanted to oblidge him. I just cant do that anymore I guess.
Reply:Originally Posted by tmcelroyyeah here in texas the weather can fluctuate depending on the area. Im normally in north central texas which is a slight "mugginess" with the heat. The climate in west texas as everyone who has been there longer than 5 min. knows that the heat there is a dry heat. I hydrated constantly and it still kicked me in the nuts
Reply:Dan I had found in an airgas outlet bandanas for your neck that have extended cooling properties. Just let it rest in water 30 min to an hr then wear it. they are like 5 bucks and are worth it I think. I also picked up "emergen-c" powder mix for water taht has alot of replacement electrolytes within it. These small things appear to add up and make a big difference. All of this is new to me cause ive never dealt with this before although im learning quickly.
Reply:Gravel, no sir west texas is like a 3-3.5 hr drive west of my home so yeah it was kind of a climate shock for my body apparently. Yeah I still believe im bullet proof even withoput alcohol, that little deal really deflated me. Now its got me a little more conscientious of my health and what not
Reply:You are aware, I hope, that if you get heat stroke (stop sweating, cramps, nausea, etc.) you'll never be able to work, at length, in the heat again for the rest of your life.  I know some guys around here that have had the problem, and can't stay for any protracted periods in the heat anymore.  BTW, it can also cause brain damage."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:When I was growing up my dad worked me pretty hard. I didnt sit around playing video games like my step-son does. So ive always worked hard and been used to it and in a sick way I like a hard days work. I think itll keep me healthier in the long run but thats just my thought. So I am seriously disturbed at what this little debacle has done to me or if the results come back with permanent kidney damage. So I am trying to find all I can information wise so I can continue my life style. It would be very hard on me to adjust my life at this point. Its just something im not willing to do right now. Know what I mean?
Reply:Sam, im afraid of that. I think I am just in denial right now. My biggest issue is how could this have happened to me so early in life when ive lived this lifestyle my entire life thus far? Workin with my dad growin up, texas high school football, workin on ranches gathering cattle starting colts, doctoring cattle working on the farm equipment. I worked as a fireman paramedic till I broke my back. I have always ran a welder so after I had gotten my back broke I decided to run a welding business. So ive always worked in all weather condtions. Now I have to come to the realization that things are now different?
Reply:Renal failure has many causes, one of which is failure to intake sufficient fluids.  I wouldn't jump the gun just yet.Little preaching.............33 ain't 23, like 58(me) ain't 38  **** changes along the years.I was working on the brakes on the stock trailer 2 weeks ago, long periods of squatting.  I went to stand up, and heard, and felt, a ripping sensation in both knees.  The pain followed pretty quick.  This came out of the blue  It was a real eye opener.I hit the gym, lift weights, and generally am in excellent shape for my age.  Muscle mass good (probably 14% fat to muscle ratio), weight below the norm (obese), and low blood pressure......................  But **** gets old my friend, it's inevitable, and you gotta change your habits to keep pace with it.  The body falls apart sooner or later, but you just have to adjust to the decline, and the world keeps on turning"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Is there much of anything I can do so that I can still work in the weather with maybe a few stipulations? Im just new to the heat stroke thing
Reply:Ask your Doc, you might be young enough that the effects are minimal, but I'm sure he'll be a little conservative in his advice."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Sam I think im just sort of traumatized as to what im dealing with here and now. I cant believe how fast time is goin by. It seriously feels like yesterday I was as strong as an ox and able to do whatever the hell I wanted to whenever I pleased. This is a huge shock to me right now and I kinda feel like my life is over.
Reply:Which I know its not..........but still
Reply:Just suck'n down those sports drinks to stay hydrated isn't the best of ideas.  For every one of those you drink you should also drink an equivalent volume of plain water.   Too many electrolytes in your system can be just as bad as to few.
Reply:Sam, do your buddies just stay out of the heat? Do I just have to work around the heat? Like I was sayin earlier I kinda try to keep my hrs anywhere from 6am to at the latest 1-2pm. This job was different cause of insufficient directions and the fact I was tryin to finish up for the guy that day. I do my best to try and accomodate my customers, actually anyone to a fault
Reply:HT2- kinda what I was thinkin. Gatorade just seems to have alot of sugars only to rise your core temp anyhow. Lose-Lose kinda deal really
Reply:A few thoughts.1. Just because your kidneys werent happy yesterday doesnt mean there is anything wrong with them intrinsically. There might be though, so you should follow up with a primary care doc in the next week or so to get your labs checked, or sooner if not feeling well.2. Acute renal insufficiency can be caused by dehydration. You can obviously get dehydrated in west texas in august. You should be taking at least one and preferably two breaks to pee a bladderful before noon in that weather. This will require that you drink several (3-4) liters of WATER during that time if it is warm and you are working hard. Stay away from alcohol at night when working in that heat as it is a diuretic and dehydrates you overnight. You really dont want to start a day like that volume down. Also, stay away from NSAIDS like aspirin, motrin/ibuprofen, alleve/naprosyn. They do bad things to your prostaglandins which screws up the kidney's autoregulatory mechanisms.3. If your kidneys do have an underlying problem, it could be due to many things. Untreated high blood pressure is the most common cause of kidney failure in the US. Untreated diabetes is a close second. You shoild check both your blood sugar and blood pressure when you go in and they should take a urine specimen with micro to look for protein , glucose and cells that dont belong there. If anything is identified, take whatever medicine they tell you to religiously.4. This has nothing to do with kodneys, but Quit the effing chew. It will kill you, probably by giving you squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Get a grip. You are not immortal. The world is already trying to kill you every day. Dont give it any more help than necessary.That is enough to get you started. Feel better.
Reply:early bird gets the worm, salt tablets are good for you,alcohol is bad for you,just be smart about the work, no man is meant to be a bull in the heat, it'll drop anyone..face all times with a positive mental attitude,then and only then will you have done your best.
Reply:That heat stroke really sucks. Plenty of Gatorade , fan blowing, and a umbrella . You gotta do what ever it takes to stay somewhat cool. Just having a fan moving air helps. Working outside in high temperatures suck. I got a 40'' barn fan on wheels that I set up and one of those market umbrellas stuck in a pipe stand. You still need a cool down area. You have many years to go so take care of yourself. No one will do it for you, I bought mine own stuff because to always have it with me. Yes the shop had fans but not good enough for me.
Reply:I'll have to check out that neck wrap you mentioned. I'm used to working in the Florida heat and not a second goes by in the day that I'm not wet from sweat and humidity. Central fl is a big swamp for the most part and you can cut the humidity with a knife!! Just pay attention to what your body is telling you,     If you are thirsty... Your already dehydrated, stop, drink cool water (not ice cold) and stop sweating before returning to work..If I stop sweating while I'm working I immediately stop and rehydrate.If you get a sudden headache while working you are already on your way to heat sickness...And if you get chills with clammy skin or you loose color in your face, for the love of got stop everything and go home or if too I'll have someone take you to a doctor for heat exhaustion...If you ignore all that, make sure you've got someone keeping an eye on you you'll need it! (Not saying you'll ignore it, but some people do)I have had a heat stroke and if I have any say in the situation it will never happen again, even if I've got to walk off the job!Hope to see you well soon!Real welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!
Reply:They're good for about an hour maybe, then have to quit.  Sometimes less if there's a lot of exertion involved.I never got in trouble, although I should have.  I don't drink much when I'm in the field.  I tend to bloat myself with too much water because it's cold and refreshing.  But I reach a point where I'm just plain fed up with the heat, get a headache, and know it's time to head for the house.  I start to get a little muddled, and start messing up with the swather controls.  Time for the shade.  I've never reached the point of actual heat stroke.If you have allergies, be careful with antihistamines.  For me anyways, I tend to get a sense of well being when on the pills, and it's hot.  It sort of masks the effects of the heat.  Not a good thing.  It's akin to being slightly snookered.  Once you're aware of it, it's no problem to recognize."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/i've had that happen to me once and it's not pretty. nausea, general weak feeling,headache and vomiting. now i drink plenty of water. some people swear by salt tablets but i never used them. i also tie a bandanna soaked in water around my neck and try to sluice water over my head and neck if it's available every couple hours. i really don't like to drink water but i force myself. soda is the worst generally but in the heat and humidity it only makes me more thirsty. lunchtime i find some shade and stay there till it's time to hit it again. every summer it's in the papers or on the news about someone dying of heat stroke or renal failure. take precautions and don't be that guy.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:If I remember from my ROTC training, by the time you get thirsty, you are already starting to get dehydrated. As mentioned you should be needing to pee regularly, and your pee should be clear or light yellow. If it's dark, you aren't drinking enough. In high heat, I try to polish off at least a 1/2 gallon of water by lunch, if not more. I use that 1/2 gallon jug to try and judge my intake levels. If I start at 8, I'd better have polished off a quart by 10 am, if not sooner and the rest by noon. Then I'll work on the 2nd 1/2 gallon at lunch and want to be trying to polish off that one around 2 or so. Then start on my 3rd. I have a tough time many times, even then, trying to get enough water into myself, and it's not at all uncommon for me to go home and polish off another gallon when it's hot before I'm done with dinner.Super cold water isn't a good idea either. Usually we have a 5 gallon water carrier on the truck filled with ice water. I'll refill my bottle from that when I'm down to about a quart of less. Then leave that much in my bottle to get warm. That way the water is cool, but not super cold.In that heat I'll usually drink a quart of Gatorade for every 1/2 gallon of water. My doc doesn't like the fact my blood pressure is borderline high and usually doesn't recommend sports drinks for people like me on average. However because he knows I work outside in the heat, he does recommend that I drink some sort of sports drink in moderation to replace the electrolytes I'm loosing.Heat can sneak up on you at any time. I've only been sick due to the heat twice. 1st time I was pushing hard doing a concrete pour and knew I should have been getting off to drink more, but I was the one who needed to be doing what needed to get done. Luckily I recognized the signs I was starting to have issues and got off and started to drink and get cooled down. 2nd time I was sick by 10 am. I knew I wasn't feeling right and ended up in a knock down drag out argument with my boss because he thought I was loafing off and milking the job. I walked away to calm down and grab a drink to buy some time and within minutes I was dry heaving and had the shivers. He knew I wasn't doing well at all when he saw me  puking and trying to get water in me and walked over and told me he knew I didn't like to get wet, but he was turning the hose on me to cool me down. At that point I could have cared less. Afterwards he told me he recognized the signs that I was over heating before the argument looking back, but figured as early in the day as it was, it couldn't have been that and dismissed those signs as simply that I was up late and tired or something else.Ever since then I've been very aware of watching for signs the guys I'm working with are over heating. Since then I've only once had to send someone out to the truck to cool down in the AC when he told me he was starting to feel nauseous when the temps were high at lunch..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:One common misconception is that cooling the back of your neck (wet rag / bandanna around your neck) helps you stay cool .... and it does.  However, Cooling the front of your neck works much better.  Tie your bandanna on backwards next time ... It cools the blood going through your neck to / from your head / heart in your jugular vein and carotid artery.  Overheating your body is bad news ... overheating your brain is much worse.  at 106 you seize and do irreversible brain damage.Also, what my doctors have always told me:  If you arent peeing every hour, you are dehydrated for summer work conditions.  On average, when the temps hit 90 (TN and high humidity), i drink 1-1.5 gallons of water and .5-1 gallon of gatorade to replenish electrolytes.  I just started that routine this year (last year i had a similar experience to you at 28)  and the heat has not bothered me at all.  water alone is not enough ... remember that.
Reply:you need a vortec personal air conditioner
Reply:I do the alternating between Gatorade and water throughout the day and a couple things that haven't been mentioned yet unless I missed it is I've been told/read that one should hydrate today for tomorrow and to be careful not to OVER hydrate.A young lad dies last week from over hydration following football practice as a result of pounding down ~2 gallons of water thinking he was doing the right thing.Overhydration:http://www.healthline.com/health/ove...tion#Overview1MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:In high heat, drink lots of water and eat a banana (potassium) in the morning.  When working in high heat or running long distances, I drink about a gallon of water per day.  Some view that as being slightly too much, because it really diminishes one's potassium levels.  So, a banana each morning really helps and your kidneys will love you.  Also, weld in the shade whenever possible.  I use an EZ-up and/or a beach umbrella out on my driveway while welding, grinding etc....During the hot months and working hard in the sun, by all means stay away from alcohol (beer in particular).   It dehydrates you and is really hard on the kidneys because you're loosing more water through perspiration.  Also stay away from processed sweets in the mornings like donuts etc....   The high sugar affects the kidneys performance too.  Water water water..... and don't wait until your thirsty to have a drink!   Drink throughout the hours.  Pause and take a slug of water every so often.  Check your urine.  If it's bright yellow, you're already too dehydrated.  It takes at least 24 hours for your cells in your body to be hydrated enough with water, to fend off the bad effects of dehydration.   You should start by drinking plenty of water the day before your big job in the sun.  Most endurance runners begin their proper hydration regime 48 hours before.  It works!!!Last edited by SuperArc; 08-19-2014 at 05:29 AM.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Originally Posted by atgA few thoughts.1. Just because your kidneys werent happy yesterday doesnt mean there is anything wrong with them intrinsically. There might be though, so you should follow up with a primary care doc in the next week or so to get your labs checked, or sooner if not feeling well.2. Acute renal insufficiency can be caused by dehydration. You can obviously get dehydrated in west texas in august. You should be taking at least one and preferably two breaks to pee a bladderful before noon in that weather. This will require that you drink several (3-4) liters of WATER during that time if it is warm and you are working hard. Stay away from alcohol at night when working in that heat as it is a diuretic and dehydrates you overnight. You really dont want to start a day like that volume down. Also, stay away from NSAIDS like aspirin, motrin/ibuprofen, alleve/naprosyn. They do bad things to your prostaglandins which screws up the kidney's autoregulatory mechanisms.3. If your kidneys do have an underlying problem, it could be due to many things. Untreated high blood pressure is the most common cause of kidney failure in the US. Untreated diabetes is a close second. You shoild check both your blood sugar and blood pressure when you go in and they should take a urine specimen with micro to look for protein , glucose and cells that dont belong there. If anything is identified, take whatever medicine they tell you to religiously.4. This has nothing to do with kodneys, but Quit the effing chew. It will kill you, probably by giving you squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Get a grip. You are not immortal. The world is already trying to kill you every day. Dont give it any more help than necessary.That is enough to get you started. Feel better.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255Winner winner, chicken dinner....Also, heavy physical exertion has an additive effect.  You get some muscle breakdown which is accelerated by the dehydration.  The muscle enzymes leak into the blood and clog up the kidney tubules.  So it become a cluster phuck for your kidneys.  All that pigment stuck in the tubules and no volume to flush it out.  It's called Rhabdomyolysis.
Reply:Sports drinks are a farce. Get a gallon of water and add 1 TEApoon of high quality sea salt.Keep it in the shade. No ice. Start wearing tan or white long sleeved shirts.It takes a little while to get used to but you'll see how it works.I actually wear this if I'm not dikkin around out of position or cutting with a torch.The cotton is close by for thathttp://www.columbia.com/mens-pfg-zer...freeze&start=7These guys know more about heat than anyone.Last edited by Burpee; 08-19-2014 at 06:26 AM.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:I hate to mention this,(because someone is going to say...I've been doing this all my life and it aint never...)but that chew/snuff has nicotine, and nicotine constricts your blood vessels which constrict blood flow which lack of blood flow can overheat you, it can increase your blood pressure and do bad things including  kidney failure. Under normal circumstances, light use? Probably OK...under extreme conditions, the effects are magnified.   Dehydrating coupled with nicotine and any caffeine could really mess you up.  But as Samm said, you'll be susceptible to it easier and earlier the rest of your life.   I try to drink  a glass of water or decaffeinated, nonalcholic beverage every 20-30 minutes because that's how much you are loosing easily on a hot day. And definitely don't go on a bender the day before.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:I switched from Gatorade to other Sports drinks or Vitamin water as there seems to be know real label showing what is in Gatorade. At least the others show Potassium and Vitamin B's which I assume is better for you. I too supplement with water, warm or otherwise but not ice cold while moving slower and stopping often.
Reply:Originally Posted by BurpeeSports drinks are a farce. Get a gallon of water and add 1 TEApoon of high quality sea salt.Keep it in the shade. No ice. Start wearing tan or white long sleeved shirts.It takes a little while to get used to but you'll see how it works.I actually wear this if I'm not dikkin around out of position or cutting with a torch.The cotton is close by for thathttp://www.columbia.com/mens-pfg-zer...freeze&start=7These guys know more about heat than anyone.
Reply:[QUOTE=SuperArc;4560651]In high heat, drink lots of water and eat a banana (potassium) in the morning.  When working in high heat or running long distances, I drink about a gallon of water per day.  Some view that as being slightly too much, because it really diminishes one's potassium levels.  So, a banana each morning really helps and your kidneys will love you.  Also, weld in the shade whenever possible.  I use an EZ-up and/or a beach umbrella out on my driveway while welding, grinding etc....QUOTE]I swear by the bananas also, eat a couple every night if I'm going to working in the heat the next day.  Also keep some pickle juice handy.  If you start cramping up take a big slug and they will be gone almost instantly.
Reply:Yes sir, I had a few labs done yesterday as a matter of fact, a complete panel done. It is a rarity that I ever drink at all. Once in a blue moon I might. I especially do not attempt alcohol before workin for sure. Other than that, yeah I know I need to quit with the snuff its something that's a little hard for me to do. Ive worked with the patches a good bit tryin to slow down. It has seemed to help. The little woman would like for me to put it away for good as well. I'm working at it. Other than thiws little set back im as healthy as a horse. 1. Just because your kidneys werent happy yesterday doesnt mean there is anything wrong with them intrinsically. There might be though, so you should follow up with a primary care doc in the next week or so to get your labs checked, or sooner if not feeling well.2. Acute renal insufficiency can be caused by dehydration. You can obviously get dehydrated in west texas in august. You should be taking at least one and preferably two breaks to pee a bladderful before noon in that weather. This will require that you drink several (3-4) liters of WATER during that time if it is warm and you are working hard. Stay away from alcohol at night when working in that heat as it is a diuretic and dehydrates you overnight. You really dont want to start a day like that volume down. Also, stay away from NSAIDS like aspirin, motrin/ibuprofen, alleve/naprosyn. They do bad things to your prostaglandins which screws up the kidney's autoregulatory mechanisms.3. If your kidneys do have an underlying problem, it could be due to many things. Untreated high blood pressure is the most common cause of kidney failure in the US. Untreated diabetes is a close second. You shoild check both your blood sugar and blood pressure when you go in and they should take a urine specimen with micro to look for protein , glucose and cells that dont belong there. If anything is identified, take whatever medicine they tell you to religiously.4. This has nothing to do with kodneys, but Quit the effing chew. It will kill you, probably by giving you squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Get a grip. You are not immortal. The world is already trying to kill you every day. Dont give it any more help than necessary.That is enough to get you started. Feel better.[/QUOTE]
Reply:I will definitely look into the salt tablets. Thanks for that  Originally Posted by iron mikeearly bird gets the worm, salt tablets are good for you,alcohol is bad for you,just be smart about the work, no man is meant to be a bull in the heat, it'll drop anyone..
Reply:Yeah after this little episode I have gotten all the above. I ran my umbrella off a hoosier pole. Originally Posted by BD1That heat stroke really sucks. Plenty of Gatorade , fan blowing, and a umbrella . You gotta do what ever it takes to stay somewhat cool. Just having a fan moving air helps. Working outside in high temperatures suck. I got a 40'' barn fan on wheels that I set up and one of those market umbrellas stuck in a pipe stand. You still need a cool down area. You have many years to go so take care of yourself. No one will do it for you, I bought mine own stuff because to always have it with me. Yes the shop had fans but not good enough for me.
Reply:yeah Dan, i'm a people pleaser a little too much. Even though I started going down hill I just assumed itd be alright (bullet proof) or so I thought! I really just wanted to finish the job for the guy cause he said hed like it done that day. I just cannot do that anymore. I feel awful when things don't work out the way folks would like for it to especially when im at the wheel. But id rather be aggravated at not finishing a job than to not be able to finish it period, or have someone else takeover. Originally Posted by Dantheharleyman99I'll have to check out that neck wrap you mentioned. I'm used to working in the Florida heat and not a second goes by in the day that I'm not wet from sweat and humidity. Central fl is a big swamp for the most part and you can cut the humidity with a knife!! Just pay attention to what your body is telling you,     If you are thirsty... Your already dehydrated, stop, drink cool water (not ice cold) and stop sweating before returning to work..If I stop sweating while I'm working I immediately stop and rehydrate.If you get a sudden headache while working you are already on your way to heat sickness...And if you get chills with clammy skin or you loose color in your face, for the love of got stop everything and go home or if too I'll have someone take you to a doctor for heat exhaustion...If you ignore all that, make sure you've got someone keeping an eye on you you'll need it! (Not saying you'll ignore it, but some people do)I have had a heat stroke and if I have any say in the situation it will never happen again, even if I've got to walk off the job!Hope to see you well soon!
Reply:I know I was off at the end of that day cause my rig was a total mess. Tools just piled everywhere and I always put things back in their place so I keep count as to not leave anything behind. Something I remember while I was trying to cut a piece of steel by my rig I thought I had seen my step son, it was a post! Luckily it didn't talk to me or I it! It did kinda spook me. Originally Posted by farmersammThey're good for about an hour maybe, then have to quit.  Sometimes less if there's a lot of exertion involved.I never got in trouble, although I should have.  I don't drink much when I'm in the field.  I tend to bloat myself with too much water because it's cold and refreshing.  But I reach a point where I'm just plain fed up with the heat, get a headache, and know it's time to head for the house.  I start to get a little muddled, and start messing up with the swather controls.  Time for the shade.  I've never reached the point of actual heat stroke.If you have allergies, be careful with antihistamines.  For me anyways, I tend to get a sense of well being when on the pills, and it's hot.  It sort of masks the effects of the heat.  Not a good thing.  It's akin to being slightly snookered.  Once you're aware of it, it's no problem to recognize.
Reply:Doc a most of the time I use the liquid additive to water. The power aid additive. Next time you go to pickup Gatorade vs power aid look at the labels, power aid has less sugar and more of the needed ingredients. Not sayin I wont drink Gatorade but I just like more bang for my buck. Originally Posted by docwelderi've had that happen to me once and it's not pretty. nausea, general weak feeling,headache and vomiting. now i drink plenty of water. some people swear by salt tablets but i never used them. i also tie a bandanna soaked in water around my neck and try to sluice water over my head and neck if it's available every couple hours. i really don't like to drink water but i force myself. soda is the worst generally but in the heat and humidity it only makes me more thirsty. lunchtime i find some shade and stay there till it's time to hit it again. every summer it's in the papers or on the news about someone dying of heat stroke or renal failure. take precautions and don't be that guy.
Reply:Originally Posted by tmcelroyDoc a most of the time I use the liquid additive to water. The power aid additive. Next time you go to pickup Gatorade vs power aid look at the labels, power aid has less sugar and more of the needed ingredients. Not sayin I wont drink Gatorade but I just like more bang for my buck.
Reply:Curious, how long did it take your body to "re adjust". After the original incident that day I had pretty well finished with what the man wanted done, there were just a few loose ends to take care of the next day. At the end of that first day I knew I was off and knew it wasn't good but I thought I could take a day off, lick my wounds and finish up the day after. So on the day I was gonna rest I just couldn't keep anything down liquid, solids didn't matter. I needed to exchange my oxygen and acetylene. So I go by Airgas to do so. There was some kinda trashy lookin, fat, lazy, retarted so and so that STOOD there WATCHING me struggle like hell just to change out my bottles. This guy after I was done say "you okay"? REALLY?!I didn't say a word to him, just shook my head got in my rig and drove off.Anytime I see someone struggling for any reason I am there to help no matter whats goin on or the task at hand.   Originally Posted by DSWIf I remember from my ROTC training, by the time you get thirsty, you are already starting to get dehydrated. As mentioned you should be needing to pee regularly, and your pee should be clear or light yellow. If it's dark, you aren't drinking enough. In high heat, I try to polish off at least a 1/2 gallon of water by lunch, if not more. I use that 1/2 gallon jug to try and judge my intake levels. If I start at 8, I'd better have polished off a quart by 10 am, if not sooner and the rest by noon. Then I'll work on the 2nd 1/2 gallon at lunch and want to be trying to polish off that one around 2 or so. Then start on my 3rd. I have a tough time many times, even then, trying to get enough water into myself, and it's not at all uncommon for me to go home and polish off another gallon when it's hot before I'm done with dinner.Super cold water isn't a good idea either. Usually we have a 5 gallon water carrier on the truck filled with ice water. I'll refill my bottle from that when I'm down to about a quart of less. Then leave that much in my bottle to get warm. That way the water is cool, but not super cold.In that heat I'll usually drink a quart of Gatorade for every 1/2 gallon of water. My doc doesn't like the fact my blood pressure is borderline high and usually doesn't recommend sports drinks for people like me on average. However because he knows I work outside in the heat, he does recommend that I drink some sort of sports drink in moderation to replace the electrolytes I'm loosing.Heat can sneak up on you at any time. I've only been sick due to the heat twice. 1st time I was pushing hard doing a concrete pour and knew I should have been getting off to drink more, but I was the one who needed to be doing what needed to get done. Luckily I recognized the signs I was starting to have issues and got off and started to drink and get cooled down. 2nd time I was sick by 10 am. I knew I wasn't feeling right and ended up in a knock down drag out argument with my boss because he thought I was loafing off and milking the job. I walked away to calm down and grab a drink to buy some time and within minutes I was dry heaving and had the shivers. He knew I wasn't doing well at all when he saw me  puking and trying to get water in me and walked over and told me he knew I didn't like to get wet, but he was turning the hose on me to cool me down. At that point I could have cared less. Afterwards he told me he recognized the signs that I was over heating before the argument looking back, but figured as early in the day as it was, it couldn't have been that and dismissed those signs as simply that I was up late and tired or something else.Ever since then I've been very aware of watching for signs the guys I'm working with are over heating. Since then I've only once had to send someone out to the truck to cool down in the AC when he told me he was starting to feel nauseous when the temps were high at lunch.
Reply:A lot of times i'll take a cool rag and run it over my popliteal, carotid, brachial areas. Certainly helps. Completely remove your shirt and run a cool rag all over kinda refreshes me. Originally Posted by AFFENDEOne common misconception is that cooling the back of your neck (wet rag / bandanna around your neck) helps you stay cool .... and it does.  However, Cooling the front of your neck works much better.  Tie your bandanna on backwards next time ... It cools the blood going through your neck to / from your head / heart in your jugular vein and carotid artery.  Overheating your body is bad news ... overheating your brain is much worse.  at 106 you seize and do irreversible brain damage.Also, what my doctors have always told me:  If you arent peeing every hour, you are dehydrated for summer work conditions.  On average, when the temps hit 90 (TN and high humidity), i drink 1-1.5 gallons of water and .5-1 gallon of gatorade to replenish electrolytes.  I just started that routine this year (last year i had a similar experience to you at 28)  and the heat has not bothered me at all.  water alone is not enough ... remember that.
Reply:Yeah buddy im workin to at least slow down and guide myself towards completely quitting snuff. But yeah ive got to agree with you as far as having heat related issues secondary to nicotine use. I suppose it could be a factor but im not sure itd be enough to say that nicotine would restrict blood flow such as plaque build up. But I do know that nicotine isn't exactly good for a person. Kinda like so many other things, over eating, not getting enough sleep, tanning beds, laziness, binge drinking, watching too much tv etc. and so on. As well id rather be using smokeless tobacco rather than smoking, with snuff you are only harming yourself, with smoking you are harming not only yourself but all those around you as well. Ive seen so many children with breathing difficulties due to family members smoking around that child. Not condoning either one but if im going to do something id rather only affect myself. Know what I mean?   Originally Posted by lugweldI hate to mention this,(because someone is going to say...I've been doing this all my life and it aint never...)but that chew/snuff has nicotine, and nicotine constricts your blood vessels which constrict blood flow which lack of blood flow can overheat you, it can increase your blood pressure and do bad things including  kidney failure. Under normal circumstances, light use? Probably OK...under extreme conditions, the effects are magnified.   Dehydrating coupled with nicotine and any caffeine could really mess you up.  But as Samm said, you'll be susceptible to it easier and earlier the rest of your life.   I try to drink  a glass of water or decaffeinated, nonalcholic beverage every 20-30 minutes because that's how much you are loosing easily on a hot day. And definitely don't go on a bender the day before.
Reply:Im gonna keep the whole sea salt thing in mind. I most of the time wear long sleeves like your sayin. I have more yuppie city folks ask me "aren't you hot?". But yeah I know what your sayin Originally Posted by BurpeeSports drinks are a farce. Get a gallon of water and add 1 TEApoon of high quality sea salt.Keep it in the shade. No ice. Start wearing tan or white long sleeved shirts.It takes a little while to get used to but you'll see how it works.I actually wear this if I'm not dikkin around out of position or cutting with a torch.The cotton is close by for thathttp://www.columbia.com/mens-pfg-zer...freeze&start=7These guys know more about heat than anyone.
Reply:Do huh?! Man I rarely drink at all let alone cocaine! Wow. And yeah that day I was a little late to that particular job due to poor directions, definitely not over cocaine or alcohol! Come on! Originally Posted by Drf255Winner winner, chicken dinner....Also, heavy physical exertion has an additive effect.  You get some muscle breakdown which is accelerated by the dehydration.  The muscle enzymes leak into the blood and clog up the kidney tubules.  So it become a cluster phuck for your kidneys.  All that pigment stuck in the tubules and no volume to flush it out.  It's called Rhabdomyolysis.Cocaine accelerates that part, alcohol makes the dehydration worse.  The typical nightmare here is some dude who goes out on a boat all day, drinks only beer and does some lines of Cocaine. Seen quite a few with irreversible damage on dialysis.  Why were you late for work that day?