With temperatures in the 90s and the heat index rising into triple digits this week, health officials are offering guidance on how to stay safe in the sweltering weather.
The good news is experts say the most common forms of heat-related illness can be easily prevented.
“Most heat-related illness is prevented by recognizing the environment,” said Dr. Steven Hodges, an emergency medicine doctor at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital. “Is it hot? Is it humid? Is there a high UV index? Most of these can be dealt with by prevention (like) early recognition of symptoms, staying well hydrated and moving a person from a warm environment to actively cooling.”
Broadly speaking, Hodges recommends avoiding very high temperatures.
“If you are going to be out on a high heat index day greater than 90 degrees, then activities might rescheduled for a different day. If its 104, just avoid doing anything outside,” Hodges said.
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Minor heat-related conditions can include heat rash and heat cramps.
“Take a cool shower and most times it goes away,” he said of heat rashes.
Heat cramps, which may include muscle cramps and mild fever, can be tackled by stretching and rehydrating with electrolyte fluids, Hodges said.
More severe conditions include heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Possible symptoms of heat exhaustion include nausea, headache, dizziness and confusion.
Heat stroke, which is a medical emergency, occurs when the core body temperature is greater than 104. More severe than heat exhaustion, symptoms include a throbbing headache, a lack of sweating in spite of the heat, rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, seizures and unconsciousness.
“It can alter an affected person’s mental status,” Hodges said. “It can lead to organ damage and, in severe cases, death.”
In severe cases, people should see a doctor.
“Any time someone passed out, they need to come in,” Hodges said. “Any time they have persistent nausea or feel they haven’t cooled off after 15 to 20 minutes in a cool environment, they should see a physician. Headache, weakness, fatigue, persistent shortness of breath, cramping – these are things we need to be vigilant about.”
Hodges also warns about drinking alcohol on hot days.
“Alcohol is a diuretic,” Hodges said. “It makes you lose more liquid. You are going to become more dehydrated. And it impairs people’s judgment.”
While the dangers of heat-related illnesses are real, severe cases tends to be rare in the Lake Forest area.
“What we mostly see in Lake Forest, which is a well-educated community, is dehydration, minor heat exhaustion, or heat related symptoms such as passing out due to heat exposure and a warm environment,” Hodges said.
There are also resources available if an area resident loses electricity on a day with extreme weather.
The city can send residents to the fire station at 1111 S. Telegraph, which has an electrical generator, said Lake Forest Fire Chief Jeff Howells. If a large number of residents are affected, the Recreation Center is also an option, he said.
“We also have a verbal agreement with Lake Forest Hospital that they would help if need be,” Howell said.
The Senior Center will also call seniors who sign up if there are extreme temperatures. The city offers to call any resident who signs up for the city’s Code Red call list.
More broadly, Howell recommends residents who find themselves without electricity on extreme temperature days stay with friends or family who have heating or cooling.
ComEd is urging customers to use energy as efficiently as possible and listed some tips:
* If you are at home, keep the thermostat at a steady temperature.
* Turn off unnecessary lighting.
* Close doors to keep the heat from coming in and cool air from escaping.
* Use fans to distribute air evenly.
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* Retreat to the coolest areas of your home, such as a basement.
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