Health Department Talks Heat Exhaustion

health-department

The Berrien County Health Department is reminding everyone of the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke now that summer is here and we’ve had some days in the 90s. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News it begins to set in when your body temperature rises too quickly.

“Things like heavy sweating, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, your skin might actually start to feel cool or moist, and you might get pale,” Conrad said.

Conrad says wearing loose clothing and taking other basic steps can help you keep heat exhaustion at bay.

“We recommend drinking cool, definitely non-alcoholic beverages. Water is optimal. Other non-sugary sorts of sport beverages that can help replace electrolytes are also good.”

More serious is heat stroke, which comes with red and dry skin, a throbbing headache, dizziness, and nausea. In those cases, medical attention is required. Conrad says the very old and the very young are most at risk, and so are pets. That’s why she reminds everyone to never leave pets or kids in a parked car. More than 600 people in the United States are killed by extreme heat each year.