Keep Your Cool

You may already be thinking about the fall, but the summer isn’t over yet. We can probably expect a few more weeks of scorching heat, so here’s what you need to know. The CDC reports that there are nearly 400 heat-related deaths in the United States every year. It can be hard to beat the heat, but here are a few tips to help you keep your cool:

·    If you must work outside, try to do so during the early morning when it is coolest

·    Take frequent rest and water breaks in a cool area, drinking enough water so you never become thirsty (about 8 ounces or 1 cup every 15-20 minutes)

·    Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing such as cotton and avoid non-breathing synthetic clothing

·    Avoid alcohol and drinks that have large amounts of caffeine or sugar

Although we should all take precautions to stay cool during the summer, certain people are particularly susceptible to heat-related illnesses: infants and children less than 4 years old, adults over 65 years old, anyone who is overweight, anyone with a chronic disease such as high blood pressure or diabetes, and people taking certain medications (check with your doctor or pharmacist).  

 The two major types of heat-related illness are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body has lost significant amounts of water and salt through excessive sweating.

Some warning signs you might see include:

·         Heavy sweating

·         Extreme weakness or fatigue

·         Dizziness

·         Confusion

·         Nausea

·         Headache

·         Either paleness or flushing

·         Muscle cramps

·         Fast, shallow breathing

·         Elevated body temperature

If you should see this happening to someone, you should move them to a cool area, bring them plenty of cool water to drink, and encourage them to take a cool shower or bath.

Heat stroke is much more serious. It happens when the normal sweating mechanism fails and the body can no longer keep itself cool. When this occurs, body temperature becomes dangerously high within 10 to 15 minutes. Some warning signs you might see include:

·         Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating

·         Chills

·         Throbbing headache

·         Nausea

·         A rapid pulse

·         A very high body temperature (above 103°f)

·         Dizziness

·         Confusion

·         Slurred speech

·         Hallucinations

·         Unconsciousness

If you should see this happening to someone, you should immediately call 911 and get help. You need to move the person to a cooler area and cool them rapidly using whatever means you can. If you’re out in the yard, you can spray them with cool water from a garden hose. If you move inside, you can immerse them in a tub of cool water. If possible, you should monitor their body temperature and continue cooling efforts until their temperature drops below 101-102°F or until emergency medical personnel arrive. Do not give the person fluids to drink unless directed to do so by emergency medical personnel.

Your mission is to use this information to care for our church family, your own neighborhood, and the surrounding community. Know the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and share this information with others. Keep an eye on your neighbors, especially those who spend a lot of time gardening or mowing their lawn. Encourage children to drink lots of water and to take frequent breaks when they play outside. This is especially important if you are responsible for organizing or coaching any outdoor sports teams. Athletes and coaches are both susceptible to the heat and should take proper precautions to ensure everyone’s safety and health. Never leave children or pets alone in the car, even with the windows cracked, because temperatures can increase by 20°F in as little as 10 minutes. If any service workers come to your home (landscapers, roofers, pest control workers, etc), show them your hospitality. Offer them a cool drink and an opportunity to come inside when they take their breaks. Have compassion on the homeless, who often suffer in the extreme heat without any refuge or relief. Consider keeping a case of bottled water in your car so you can provide them with something to drink.

For more information, visit the CDC's web page of Frequently Asked Questions about extreme heat.

And may the peace of the Lord be always with you.

Your Life, Your Health

We are beginning a new health ministry at Christ Church. The mission of this ministry is to serve the Body of Christ by promoting the health, wellness, and wholeness of this congregation and the surrounding community. As a living witness to the healing power of God’s grace, this ministry promotes an holistic approach to health in several ways: by facilitating discussions of physical, emotional, and spiritual health issues; by increasing self-knowledge through educational sessions related to health and wellness; by empowering people to take control of their own health; and by fostering a health-conscious community. This ministry is focused on both health and healing, combining the ancient traditions of our Christian community with the knowledge and tools of modern healthcare.

There has been a longstanding, national conversation about the state of our current healthcare system, which primarily focuses on treating specific diseases and not on promoting general health. This approach to health care is fragmented, incomplete, and enormously expensive. The Church, however, is guided by Christ’s message of healing, wholeness, and community. When He sent the first disciples out in pairs, He instructed them to, “cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you’” (Luke 10:9). As Christians, we are called to care for one another but we are also charged with the good stewardship of our own physical health. This health ministry does not seek to replace existing health services, but rather to work with community partners and resources to empower and educate, to advocate for health, and to care for people in need.

I invite you to join this new conversation by sending me your health questions and concerns, and by participating in our upcoming discussions of how we can achieve wholeness of body and spirit together. The direction this ministry takes will be shaped by the needs, interests, and concerns of this congregation.

And may the peace of the Lord be always with you.