HSHS St. Francis Hospital Provides Tips on Staying Cool in a Heat Wave, Warning Signs of Heat-Related Illnesses

With summer temperatures rising, HSHS St. Francis Hospital is providing tips for staying cool and how to know the warning signs of heat-related illnesses, like heat stroke, which requires medical attention.

Heat stroke is considered a medical emergency.  If a person exhibits symptoms of a heat stroke, call 911 right away.  Symptoms include:

• High body temperature (103 degrees or higher)
• Hot, red, dry or damp skin
• Fast, strong pulse
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Losing consciousness

Move the person to a cooler place after calling 911.  You can also help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath.  It is not recommended that the person is given anything to drink.

Heat exhaustion is also common during a heat wave.  Symptoms include heavy sweating, fast but weak pulse, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, headache and passing out.  If you or others experience these symptoms, move to a cool place, sip water, loosen your clothes and put cool, wet cloths on your body to cool down.  Seek medical help right away if you or someone else is vomiting, symptoms get worse or the symptoms last longer than one hour.

Heat-related illnesses are preventable.  HSHS St. Francis Hospital recommends that people stay cool and stay hydrated.  Some tips to stay cool and hydrated include:

• Wear appropriate clothing
• Stay cool indoors
• Don’t be outside if you don’t have to be
• If you must be outdoors, pace yourself and take breaks
• Wear sunscreen
• Avoid hot and heavy meals
• Drink more fluids, regardless of your activity
• Don’t wait to drink water until you’re thirsty
• Stay away from very sugary or alcoholic drinks

Certain people are at higher risk for heat-related illnesses.  This includes infants and young children, people 65 and older, people who are overweight, and people who are physically ill.  If a person experiences a heat-related illness, it is common for them to lose consciousness.  If you know someone in any of these categories, make sure to check on them at least twice a day during a heat wave.

For more information, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.html or https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html.