I hope you all had a safe, happy Fourth of July.
I especially hope you found some reprieve from the heat wave that hit our region last week, leading up to and over the holiday weekend. It was quite a reminder that heat and humidity levels can be extreme even here in Northeastern Pennsylvania, as we saw temperatures reach the high nineties and felt oppressive mugginess for those days.
Folks in good health and physical condition can struggle through on days like these and still do strenuous work or activities while maintaining energy levels. However, exposed to these conditions, people with chronic or complex medical issues can be at risk of serious health complications.
Excessive heat and humidity – particularly for those engaged in physical activity – can quickly cause dehydration and raise body temperature, leading to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Prolonged skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can burn and blister the skin, which is not only painful but can also compromise the body’s ability to cool itself.
Heat exhaustion can develop over several days if you’re exposed to high temperatures without proper hydration.
Symptoms include excessive thirst, weakness or fatigue, dizziness or fainting, headaches, heavy sweating, muscle cramping, nausea, and slow or weakened heartbeat.
You may also have goosebumps and feel cold despite being out in the heat. Heat exhaustion is not usually life-threatening, but it should be treated immediately before it leads to heat stroke.
Heat stroke can be life-threatening, and it sets in when your body becomes unable to regulate its temperature.
Symptoms include confusion or slurred speech, headache, excessive nausea or vomiting, lack of sweat, hot and dry skin, rapid pulse and heart rate, rapid and shallow breathing, seizure, and elevated body temperature that can reach 104°F or higher.
In severe cases, heat stroke causes loss of consciousness. It is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.
To protect yourself from heat-related illness, take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in light colors, and wear a hat with a brim big enough to protect your nose and neck. Sunglasses rated for UV400 can help protect your eyes from 100 percent of UV rays. And protect any exposed skin by applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
If you can, adjust your schedule to handle any outdoor activity during early morning or evening hours, avoiding peak hours for temperature and direct sun.
These protective measures are particularly important for people who may have conditions or take medications that hasten dehydration or for whom dehydration and heat-related illness could complicate existing health issues.
If you ever have symptoms of heat-related illness, stop and rest in an area shaded from direct sun. If possible, move indoors and get near a fan or into an air-conditioned space. Loosen or remove as much clothing as possible. Place cool, wet towels on your forehead, neck, armpits and groin to help lower your body temperature. And try to hydrate by drinking about four ounces of water, fruit juice or electrolyte beverage every 15 minutes.
If you recognize symptoms of heat stroke in you or anyone around you, call 911 right away.
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Dr. Alfred Casale, a cardiothoracic surgeon, is chief medical officer for surgical services for Geisinger and chair of the Geisinger Heart and Vascular Institute. Readers may write to him via ae@timesleader.com.
