With excessive heat warnings in effect and scorching temperatures expected to continue for the next few weeks, local medical professionals say to do what you need to do in order to “not” become a statistic.
ETMC First Physicians provider Dr. Samuel Raborn warns against worrying so much about soaring electric bills that you cease to use your air conditioner.
Raborn said he was surprised last month when an elderly gentleman confessed he had yet to turn on his home air conditioning system because he was agonizing about the bill.
“I ordered him to go home and turn his AC on,” Raborn stated before emphasizing, “Everyone needs to stay cool and not become a statistic.”
As record temperatures continue to bake the country’s midsection, heat-related hospital visits are on the rise according to an employee of Trinity Mother Francis in Tyler. “The number of people coming in with heat exhaustion is certainly climbing,” she stated.
With the thermometer above the Citizens National Bank building in Chandler showing a sizzling 112 degrees, and the National Weather Service advising the heat is going nowhere soon, Raborn’s office provided the following information pertaining to heat illness and how to recognize the symptoms.
Heat illness occurs when your body becomes overheated, usually when you are outside in very hot or humid weather. Heat illness includes heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. You are at high risk for heat illness if you are an older adult, are overweight, have heart disease, high blood pressure or chronic illness, or work in a hot environment.
Symptoms of heat cramps include muscle pains and spasms (most commonly in the abdominal, arm, or leg muscles. Some symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, weakness, nausea or vomiting, headaches and increased sweating. Symptoms of heatstroke include confusion and disorientation, erratic behavior, agitation, seizures and coma.
Heat cramps are treated by drinking a lot of fluids, massaging the cramped area, and stretching the cramping muscles. Cramps may improve more rapidly if you drink a sports drink that contains salt and other electrolytes, rather than water.
First aid procedures for heat exhaustion are: stop any activity; lie down and rest in a shady or cool place; loosen your clothing; drink plenty of cool non-alcoholic fluids, such as water, clear juice or a sports drink (do not give iced drinks). If you cannot sip fluids, you probably need intravenous fluids in a first-aid station or a hospital.
Emergency medical treatment is necessary for heatstroke.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency also has a list of protective and first aid measures for heat-induced illnesses.
They cautioned that it is important to be aware of the temperature. Temperatures in the 90s and higher are dangerous, and become more dangerous the higher they go and the longer they last. The very young and the very old are at the highest risk, as their weight and age can impair their ability to handle high temperatures.
FEMA encourages you to modify your activities appropriately. Other suggestions include drinking plenty of fluids; stay in relatively cool areas, even when outside. They also suggested air-conditioned public places, such as libraries, shopping malls and movie theatres.
Recommendations include avoiding hot, enclosed places, such as cars; and never leave children unattended in a car parked in the sun. Use a fan, if available; stay on the lowest floor of your building; eat well-balanced, light and regular meals; wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing; cover windows that receive a significant amount of sun with drapes or shades to help keep your house cool; and weather stripping and properly insulate your home.
So far, at least 22 deaths across the nation have been attributed to the heat wave. Health officials across the Lone Star state are urging residents to check on elderly relatives and neighbors.
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