PARIS, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) – Although it is recommended to stay out of the near triple-digit temperatures as much as possible, some people may not have that option.
One of the main concerns of people being outside for long periods of time is the risk of developing heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Dr. John Ventura, director of the emergency department with Horizon Health, said some symptoms of heat exhaustion may be dizziness, extreme thirst, or nausea.
At this point, Dr. Ventura said you can usually cool yourself down on your own by drinking water and moving to a cooler area. If you let it continue, it may become a heat stroke.
“Folks with heat stroke are actually having a heat-related emergency, their temperatures can be well over 100 degrees and they can get confusion, dizziness, they can lose consciousness and this is an actual medical emergency. People should call 911. They’ll be brought to a hospital and we can do rapid cooling for them,” Dr. Ventura said.
A major warning sign of either heat stroke or heat exhaustion can be if you stop sweating while in warm conditions.
“Stopping sweating means your body has stopped its natural cooling mechanism and things are only going to get worse from there,” Dr. Ventura said.
Dr. Ventura said if you have to be outside, he recommends drinking plenty of water and taking periodic breaks.
He said even being outside for a short period of time can be more severe than some people may think.
“If someone is not acclimated to the heat like all of us right now coming out of winter to sudden 98-degree weather, half an hour. Probably even less for elderly folks. So if you’re deconditioned, elderly, or have any other medical concerns, you should be very careful being outside in the heat,” Dr. Ventura said.
Dr. Ventura urges you to seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms of heat exhaustion, and they don’t subside after trying to cool down on your own.
