The hottest weather so far this summer is expected to invade our area this week. High temperatures on Tuesday through Saturday are expected to reach the low to mid-90s. The hottest days are expected to be Thursday and Friday with temperatures climbing to the mid-90s and heat-index readings over 100. The heat index is how hot it feels when you factor the heat with humidity.
Dr. Brian Curtis of OSF HealthCare says heat exhaustion or heat stroke are not limited to those outside….
{AUDIO: ”Especially when we get into really warm weather. So like if you get into the mid-90s, upper 90s…you know we still have a lot of people around here that do not have air conditioning. And so you can get heat exhaustion and heat stroke within a building. When people don’t have air-conditioning that’s when you really start seeing the elderly develop a lot of heat exhaustion within their own homes.”)
Dr. Curtis adds the effect of the hot weather can cause conditions to worsen….
{AUDIO: ”They go from heat exhaustion to heat stroke. And so you’ll go through heat exhaustion before you get to heat stroke. So heat exhaustion, basically the people are cool, clammy. They’re sweating profusely and they may have some nausea or vomiting and they usually have a lot of severe muscle cramping with it.”}
Dr. Curtis adds with heat stroke a person will have dry skin, a temperature of 102 to 103 degrees, and will be confused or passed out.
He says if someone is experiencing those conditions it is a true medical emergency and you should call 9-1-1.
Dr. Curtis is the vice president of Clinical Specialty Services for OSF HealthCare. He offered these tips to help prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke:
- Drink plenty of liquids (water, fruit juice, sports drinks)
- Avoid dehydrating liquids like alcohol and caffeinated beverages.
- Take frequent breaks.
- Get out of the sun and into shaded areas.
- Use sunscreen and avoid getting sunburnt.
- Use the buddy system: Keep an eye on each other.
Dr. Curtis says usually it is working class people who get heat exhaustion or heat stroke…but the elderly and children are more susceptible.
