The National Weather Service office in Tulsa issued a heat advisory for Sequoyah County on Tuesday. The advisory was to run through 7 p.m. Wednesday when a cool front and rain were expected.
According to the weather service Web site, “Afternoon temperatures in the mid to upper 90s will combine with very high humidity to result in dangerous heat indices near 105 degrees…Wednesday afternoon. Overnight low temperatures will largely be in the lower 70s…which will provide only minimal relief.
“The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible.”
The weather service and local medical personnel offered suggestions Tuesday to survive the heat. Most importantly, they advised residents to drink plenty of fluids, particularly water or sports drinks.
Dr. Terry Hoyt of Sequoyah Memorial Hospital Family Medicine said the body not only loses fluids when the heat and humidity add up to 105 heat index and higher, the body also needs additional minerals, electrolytes and salts. These are most usually found in sports drinks.
Hoyt said, “Do not drink caffeine or alcohol, both cause the body to lose fluids. Water is the best.”
Hoyt also suggested residents stay indoors during the day if possible, and if being or working outside is necessary, do so in the morning, before 10 a.m. and in the afternoon, after 6 p.m.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, those who do not have air conditioning should go to a public place that does, such as a shopping mall or the public library. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place, and not using the stove or oven help beat the heat.
Hoyt warned, “The very young and the very old are more susceptible to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, as are those with chronic illnesses.”
People on diet pills, seizure medications, water pills or other medications should also check with their doctors on how to stay cool since those on special medications are all influenced by body fluids and heat.
Hoyt said two heat-related illnesses are heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
“I see two or three heat-related illnesses every summer in the emergency room,” Hoyt said.
He and the Centers for Disease Control listed the symptoms of both illnesses.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat Exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. It is the body’s response to an excessive loss of the water and salt contained in sweat. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are the elderly, those with high blood pressure and people working or exercising in a hot environment.
The symptoms of heat exhaustion are:
—Heavy sweating
—Paleness
—Muscle cramps
—Tiredness
—Weakness
—Dizziness
—Headache
—Nausea or vomiting
—Fainting
The victim should cool off as quickly as possible, and if the symptoms persist or worsen medical attention should be sought.
Heat Stroke
Heat stoke occurs when the body is unable to regulate temperature, and medical assistance should be sought immediately.
The body’s temperature rises rapidly, sweating ceases, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees F., or higher within 10 to 15 minutes, and heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.
The warning signs of heat stroke are:
—An extremely high body temperature, above 103 degrees F. orally
—Red, hot and dry skin, with no sweating
—A rapid, strong pulse
—Throbbing headache
—Dizziness
—Nausea
—Confusion
—Unconsciousness
Anyone suffering from these signs should be moved to a shady area and cooled as rapidly as possible in a tub of cool water, in a cool shower, or by spraying with cool water from a garden hose. The body temperature should be monitored and cooling efforts continued until the body temperature drops to 101 or 102 degrees F. Medical assistance should be sought as soon as possible.
Other heat-related injuries or illnesses include heat cramps, sunburn and heat rash.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends the following for heat cramps:
—Stop all activity and sit quietly in a cool place.
—Drink clear juice or a sports beverage.
—Do not return to strenuous activity for a few hours after the cramps subside because further exertion may lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
—Seek medical attention for heat cramps if they do not subside in one hour.
It is also recommended that sunburn be avoided because of the damage to the skin. Severe sunburn may require medical attention. Medical attention is recommended for all sunburns to children under the age of 12 months, of if they have a fever, fluid-filled blisters or severe pain.
Heat rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather, and it can occur at any age. The best treatment for heat rash is a cooler, less humid environment. Dusting powder may be used to increase comfort.
