Pay Attention As Temps Soar

Heat Tips from Spectrum Health

Spectrum Health has some quick health tips to deal with this week’s soaring temperatures and stifling humidity.

“Everyone needs to be on the alert this week,” said Kristi Demock, DO, Spectrum Health Medical Group. “The problem with intense and sustained heat exposure is that health issues tend to creep up and you can quickly get into serious trouble.”

“Young children and the elderly are at obvious risk,” said Demock.

“The best thing to do is try to stay indoors in air conditioning, if at all possible. If you don’t have air conditioning in your home, during the day make use of public spaces that are air conditioned, like the library or a shopping mall. At night, stay near a fan so the moving air can help cool your body.”

People who work outdoors are also at risk.

“Now is the time to take frequent breaks in the shade and drink lots of water, even if it slows down the job,” cautioned Demock.

People who jog daily or are participating in outdoor sports this week should move such strenuous exercise to as early as possible in the day when the sun is lower in the sky and the temperature might be cooler. Again, hydration and taking frequent “shade breaks” is a good idea.

More heat tips include:

Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing
Avoid overheating if you are taking drugs that impair heat regulation (check with your physician)
Allow cars to cool off before getting in

“No one – human or animal – should be left in a hot car during temperatures like this,” emphasized Demock.

There are some common signs of heat exposure to be on the lookout for during these hot summer days:

Profuse sweating
Fatigue
Thirst
Muscle cramps
Headache
Dizziness and lightheadedness
Weakness
Nausea and vomiting
Cool, moist skin
Dark urine

“The symptoms of heatstroke include a fever (temperature above 104 °F), extreme confusion and even seizures or unconsciousness. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical treatment immediately,” said Demock.

Kristi Demock, DO, practices family medicine at Spectrum Health Medical Group, 570 E Division, Rockford, MI 49341, 616.863.3150.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of nine hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, a state of the art children’s hospital that opened in January 2011, and 180 service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group and West Michigan Heart, physician groups totaling more than 600 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with 625,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with more than 17,800 employees. The organization provided $115.9 million in community benefit during its 2010 fiscal year. In 2011 and 2010, Spectrum Health was named a Top 10 Health System by Thomson Reuters.