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The soaring temperatures of summertime can be hazardous to your health. Extreme heat and humidity can cause dehydration, rash, sunburn, cramps, and worst of all, heat stroke, which is life-threatening.
“Heat-related illnesses happen when the body’s natural mechanism for getting rid of heat gets overwhelmed,” says Dr. Tae Keun Park, Medical Director of Holy Name’s Emergency Department. That can damage a person’s brain, heart, lungs, and muscles.
Heat-related illnesses are most common in younger children and people over 60, but everyone should know the signs, Dr. Park says. Sometimes, symptoms are subtle; for example, a person experiencing heat stroke may stop sweating. Minor symptoms such as a sunburn or cramps can be managed at home. Others warrant a trip to the emergency room. Go to the ER if you notice any of these symptoms after a lot of time in the sun:
- weakness and/or feeling tired
- a faster heart rate than normal
- dizziness
- nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
- a body temperature above 103 degrees
- confusion, agitation, or loss of consciousness
- pale skin
- Infrequent urination
To prevent heat-related illnesses, Dr. Park recommends people:
- stay hydrated, preferably with water, and avoid drinking alcohol in the sun
- wear light-colored clothing
- stay in the shade as much as possible
- take frequent rest breaks in the shade
- visit cooling centers
- talk to their doctor about any medications they take, as some may exacerbate illness from the heat (such as antidepressants, allergy medications, and blood pressure medications)
To learn more about Holy Name's Emergency Care Center, please visit holyname.org/EmergencyCare.
