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High Temperatures Can Result in Heat-Related Illness, Signs to Watch and Ways to Keep Safe

High temperatures felt during a heat advisory can cause heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion or heat stroke. This can happen when the body is not able to properly cool itself.

Heat exhaustion is the less severe of the two.

“You tend to get obviously very hot, sweaty, tired. You might get muscle cramps. So that’s your warning that it’s time to start cooling off and get indoors,” says Holly Campbell, Deputy Health Officer for Health Department of Northwest Michigan, covering Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego counties.

Heat stroke is the most severe heat-related illness and warrants a call to 911. People can start to feel week and experience delirium or even lose consciousness. The body will not be able to sweat in order to cool down which can increase body temperature well over 100 degrees.

“You actually don’t really want to give people water at that point because you could cause some problems,” says Dr. Jennifer Morse, MD, MPH, FAAFP; Medical Director for Central Michigan District, Mid-Michigan, DHD #10  and Grand Traverse County Health Departments.

Dr. Morse says that during heat stroke a person will need to have their temperature brought down gradually. Their electrolytes will be “off” enough to cause their nerves and muscles to no longer function properly.

“Those need to be reestablished carefully because to do it too suddenly can cause the brain to swell and can cause your organs to not function well,” she says.

The bodies reaction to hot temperatures is to cool itself off by sweating, but during extreme heat that might not be enough. In that case, body temperature can rise quickly and in the worst cases can cause damage to the brain and vital organs.

Older adults, young children and people with chronic illness can be at the highest risk. But anyone is susceptible to heat-related illness especially if they are spending a great deal of time outdoors. The says more males are affected than females when it comes to heat-related illness.

Urban areas may be a greater risk from the effects of prolonged heat wave. Spending time in houses with little to no air conditioning, construction worksites or inside cars can increase chances of heat-related illnesses.

People working outdoors are at great risk of injury.

“My big concern, as always, [is] with people working outdoors who have outdoor occupations who might be working on roofs or cutting tree branches and fall because they’ve worked to the point of heat stroke,” says Dr. Morse.

Inside vehicles, the temperature can turn deadly. For example, if the outside temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit after 20 minutes the inside of a vehicle will be 109 degrees. And after an hour it will be over 120.

From 199-2009 less than 700 people died each year from heat in the United States.

“There’s been an increase in emergency department visits for heat-related illnesses since Tuesday,” says Campbell. “That’s really throughout the Lower Peninsula, primarily in southwest Michigan. Now, most of these visits are for individuals that are 18 to 44 years old.”

Anyone is susceptible to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

To prevent heat-related illness: Stay Cool. Stay Hydrated. Stay Informed.

If your home does not have AC visit a shopping mall or public library– even a few hours can help the body stay cooler when you go back outside.

Take a cool bath or shower if you feel yourself getting overheated and wear loose and lightweight clothing.

Limit your time outdoors and try to schedule plans outside for mornings or evenings when its cooler. Rest often in shady areas to give the body a chance to recover.

Wear sunscreen if working or playing in the heat, a sunburn can affect the body’s ability to cool down and make you dehydrated.

It’s crucial to stay hydrated no matter how active a person is outside but stay away from alcoholic or sugary drinks that can actually cause the body to lose more fluid.

Heavy sweating can remove salts and minerals from the body, but a sports drink can replace them.

Stay informed about heat advisories in your area, and know the signs of heat-related illness and how to treat them. Also be sure to check on friends and family, especially those at high risk of heat-related illness.

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