The heat of August has returned, with temperatures climbing back to the 80s after a brief respite. The rise in temperatures brings an increased risk of heat-related illnesses if precautions are not taken.
Residents are advised to limit time outdoors or take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas. Hydration is crucial when spending time outside, as the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke is higher.
Dr. Chandler Hill, Medical Director at Sacred Heart Emergency Center, spoke about the identifiable symptoms.
“The core symptoms are pretty subtle. Sweating… feeling hot… and then as heat exhaustion gets worse, you get a little bit confused and more tired than you might normally,” he said.
Dr. Hill warned that if symptoms progress, it could lead to heat stroke, with a dangerous body temperature of 103 to 104 degrees. He emphasized the difficulty of self-diagnosing due to confusion, making it vital to check on friends and family, particularly the elderly who are more vulnerable.
He advised that if symptoms do not improve after 10-15 minutes of hydration and cooling down, it might be time to visit the emergency department.
“If you push through that, it can lead to heat stroke where you stop sweating and your temperature really pushes into that danger range,” Dr. Hill added.
