Tips For Giving Heat-related Issues The “cold Shoulder”

Authored by Dr. Joseph Chavez Carey, Garnet Health Doctors Primary Care Medical Director

The Hudson Valley has experienced some tremendous temperatures this summer, with humidity levels pushing the heat index even higher, into dangerous territory. Garnet Health Medical Center Primary and Urgent Care offices see patients suffering from the effects of two common heat-related illnesses, heat exhaustion and the more severe heat stroke.

The First Signs: Sweat the Details

The first sign of your body getting overheated is sweat, which is our body’s way of using evaporation to cool itself. As sweat evaporates off our body, it takes the heat with it. With heat exhaustion you will experience heavy sweating, by the time heat stroke sets in, someone may experience decreased sweating.

On hot and humid days, when the sweat doesn’t evaporate as efficiently, it becomes as though we can’t cool off, so our body temperature keeps going up and up. And, that’s when you can get into trouble.

Know The Difference: Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke

Heat exhaustion happens when the body is overheated. It is a milder form of heat stroke, which is very serious and potentially fatal. The early signs that you’re developing a heat-related issue include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Dizziness

If you have ever felt the effects of the heat but have not needed to go to the hospital, you have likely experienced heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is as the name implies, a kind of fatigue – you get too hot and dehydrated, and you get tired. If you have ever gotten really sick from the heat and needed to go to the hospital and be treated, you may have had heat stroke.

Heat stroke results when your body temperature reaches above 104 degrees, and basically starts to shut down. It can’t handle temperatures that high, and cells start failing – your organs, your liver, your kidneys, they all start to shut down.

If someone is beginning to not think clearly, can’t walk straight, or they’re confused, that’s the onset of a heat stroke situation warranting emergency steps, including a call to 9-1-1 and an ER visit.

Tips on Keeping Cool in the Summer Heat

If you experience heat-related symptoms, try to cool off right away —

• Have someone spray water on you
• Get into the shade
• Find some air conditioning
• Drink plenty of water and/or sports drinks with electrolytes
• Apply some ice packs to the body
• Remove a layer of clothing

Do not hydrate with beer or your favorite summer cocktail. It’s okay for summer fun to involve a responsibly enjoyed adult beverage or two, but alcohol actually dehydrates you, and that can become troublesome before you even notice it occurring.

You definitely want to stay well-hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids. Again, if you don’t feel better within twenty minutes or so, consider a trip to the ER or an Urgent Care facility.

Cooling Plans for Prevention of Heat-related Illness

Cooling plans are also key for prevention. Know what you will do, or where you might go if it gets too hot. If you do not have air conditioning in your home, find a place that does to cool down.

Some people at high risk are:

• The elderly living alone
• School athletes training for the fall
• People who work jobs such as road crews and other outdoor laborers

The New York state website, www.health.ny.gov, has a list of cooling centers by county, including an interactive map, that is very helpful. Often times, senior centers, town halls and libraries are public places where people are welcome to cool off. Call first to be sure they are open. You can also run errands at places that are air conditioned – the mall, the supermarket – or, go see a movie.

Keep in mind that heat stroke can develop over the course of a few days. Obviously, if you’re feeling ill, don’t mess around, call your primary care doctor for an evaluation and get some help.

Joseph Chavez Carey, MD
Dr. Chavez Carey is an Garnet Health Doctors Primary Care Physician. He is Board-certified in Family Medicine, Fluent in Spanish.

He received his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine, New York and completed his internship and residency at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, California.

To make an appointment with Dr. Chavez Carey, please call 845-333-7830.

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All content presented are provided for informational and educational purposes only, and are not intended to approximate or replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read within the website content. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.