A Cookeville Regional physician said this first heatwave of summer can be dangerous, especially coming during the outdoor-focused July 4th week.
Emergency Department Director Dr. Samantha McLerran said even able-bodied adults and teenagers can fall victim of heat-related illnesses in this kind of heat. McLerran said the lack of heat tolerance among the general population makes the current weather conditions particularly dangerous for those participating in outdoor activities.
“Heat injuries are very difficult for some people to recognize because a lot of people wait until they feel confused, fainting, or really are not able to cool down,” McLerran said. “And at that point, it’s really not being overheated, those are a medical emergency.”
McLerran said thirst is a late sign of dehydration and advised people to drink fluids before they feel the need. Additionally, McLerran said alcohol consumption can exacerbate the problem.
McLerran said fans have limited effectiveness when the heat index is high, making air conditioning the only safe cooling method.
“Confusion, abnormal behavior, if people are seizing, please go ahead and call 911,” McLerran said. “Or having chest pain, severe shortness of breath, repeated vomiting, not urinating, or really dark or tea-colored urine, those are all emergent medical conditions that need to be treated rapidly.”
McLerran said heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, and a fast heart rate, which require immediate relocation to a cooler environment. McLerran said heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency characterized by slurred speech, seizures or passing out.
“If people don’t have somewhere that in this heat that they can get to air conditioning, consider going a friend’s home, a church, a local cooling area, just to get into some cool air for a little bit,” McLerran said.
McLerran said most people lack heat conditioning because they spend the majority of their time in air-conditioned homes, vehicles and office spaces. McLerran said while individuals who work outdoors have a higher tolerance, the human body still struggles to maintain safe internal temperatures during extreme heat warnings.
McLerran said residents should avoid heavy labor such as mowing or roofing during the peak afternoon heat. McLerran said necessary outdoor tasks should be moved to the early morning or evening hours to minimize exposure.
“f they want to be outside, they need to move those activities to early morning or evening, check on their older relatives and their neighbors, and never, ever leave children, adults, older adults or pets in a vehicle.”
McLerran said certain medications, including diuretics, antihistamines and stimulants used for ADHD, can increase a person’s risk for heat-related illness. McLerran said underlying conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes also make individuals more susceptible to the rising temperatures.
“The longer you stay hot and when you can’t cool down, the dehydration and heat stress build,” McLerran said. “If the house is warm at night and they can’t cool down overnight, the risk is even higher the next day, because heat injuries are cumulative.”
