By WHITNEE ICE
St. Joseph Post
The summer heat continues to rise today and tomorrow.
St. Joseph Health Department Clinic Supervisor Connie Werner says in this extreme heat, watch for the first stage of heat-related illness, heat cramps.
“It especially is likely in elderly, or small children, people with pre-existing health conditions, people who have been drinking alcohol, and what will happen is that their muscles will tighten up and they’ll notice muscle pain,” Werner tells St. Joseph Post.
Werner says there are a series of symptoms to watch for when experiencing the second stage of heat-related illness with heat exhaustion.
“That is where a person will feel faint or dizzy, they may have excessive sweating, they might feel cool, or pale, or clammy on their skin, have some nausea or vomiting, their pulse might feel really fast, and they continue to have those muscle cramps,” says Werner.
If you experience symptoms of heat cramps or heat exhaustion, Werner advises you to get cooled down quickly to prevent worsening symptoms, or illness.
Werner says heatstroke, the most severe form of heat-related illness, is considered a medical emergency.
“This is where someone needs to call 911 and that is because their body temperature has risen above what is safe for the body to handle. Typically, above 103 or 104 degrees,” says Werner.
Werner says you will have all the symptoms of heat exhaustion along with additional symptoms when experiencing heatstroke.
“You then have a throbbing headache, confusion, you stop sweating because your body is no longer able to do that. Your skin feels hot and red and dry and you have the possibility of losing consciousness,” says Werner.
Various symptoms indicate the level of severity of a heat-related illness from the least severe being heat cramps, the next is heat exhaustion, and then the worst being a heat stroke.
The National Weather Service predicts today’s high to be near 97 degrees with a heat index value as high as 107. Tomorrow is predicted to be as high as 99 degrees, with a heat index value as high as 110 degrees.