Southwest Michigan is expected to be hit with a heatwave this weekend and into next week with temperatures in the upper 80s, and everyone’s reminded to take steps to protect themselves from heat-related illness.
Dr. Christopher Trigger is an emergency room doctor at Corewell Health in St. Joseph. He tells us when it’s really hot, the ER will get some patients with heat exhaustion.
“We’ll get patients presenting with nausea, dizziness, feeling fatigued after being out in the heat,” Trigger said. “Landscape workers tend to be the ones that typically come in. These symptoms can be lingering for 24 to 48 hours and have a cumulative effect.”
Heat related illness can start with cramps, advance to passing out, and then lead to heat exhaustion. Trigger says heat stroke is the most severe sort of heat illness, and that can even lead to death. Symptoms include a body temperature over 104 degrees and aggression or odd behavior. He says athletes who overexert themselves are most likely to suffer heat stroke, something he’s seen in the medical tents at outdoor athletic events.
So, what should everyone do to be safe?
“We typically recommend taking breaks every hour on the hour in a cool place. If outside, under a tree in the shade. Make sure you’re well hydrated throughout the day. Don’t drink to thirst. Make sure you’re drinking every 15 to 20 minutes. Cold fluids, preferably water or something with an electrolyte supplement.”
That 15-minute rule applies to everyone, and Trigger says seniors may have trouble following it because they often are just less thirsty than most others. He adds young children and the elderly also have less of an ability to regulate their body temperatures, so it’s important to watch out for them.
If you don’t have air conditioning, use a fan or move to the coolest room of the house, which is often the basement. Trigger says heading into a store or public building with AC is also a good way to cool off.
