Doctors warn of heat illness risks as temperatures remain high

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - The heat isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and doctors are urging residents to take necessary precautions.

There’s a higher risk of heat illness for people who are very young or older, those with chronic medical conditions, those who are pregnant and athletes or workers who need to be outside for an extended period of time. But in this heat, one Beacon Health System doctor said everyone is at risk.

“With the heat index as high as it is, currently, and the fact that it’s early June and people haven’t really had much of an opportunity to get acclimated to the higher temperatures and higher humidity, that puts people at even more of a risk,” said Dr. Mark Miller, emergency department medical director at Beacon Kalamazoo.

Residents need to stay extra hydrated, wear lightweight clothing and protect themselves from the sun. Heat also plays a factor on prescription medications.

Medications should be stored at room temperature. For pill bottles, don’t leave them in a parked car, which can get over a hundred degrees in less than an hour. If some medications get too hot, the active ingredients in them can break down and that makes them ineffective or even harmful.

Even if medications make people more sensitive to the heat, they still must take them. The recommendation is to get out of the heat, stay indoors with the AC as much as possible and drink plenty of water.

Recognizing heat illness symptoms

Heat cramps in arms, legs or stomach is a warning to head inside and hydrate.

Heat exhaustion is when people start feeling nauseous, dizzy and weak. They’ll need to get somewhere cool and drink plenty of fluids. If symptoms last longer than an hour, they need to seek medical attention, like Urgent Care.

Miller said heat stroke is a medical emergency and those experiencing the above heat symptoms in addition to confusion should call 911.

“With heat stroke, the body has lost its ability to maintain temperature and end organ damage, we call it. Organs in the body start to get damaged because of the dehydration and the high temperature,” said Miller.

If people are unsure about any symptoms or medication reactions, Miller said it’s always a good idea to ask a physician.

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