Sun. PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — As warm weather has been drawing more people outside, doctors are reminding residents of the importance of staying cool and hydrated when temperatures climb high.
Heat-related illness can happen sooner than many people think. Last summer, Wisconsin recorded over 1,000 emergency room visits related to heat.
Dr. Jocko Zifferblatt, an emergency medicine specialist and doctor of osteopathic medicine at ThedaCare Medical Center-Oshkosh, explained the early symptoms of heat exhaustion.
“You often get a little nauseous, a little bit of a headache, get chilled. You’ll notice that you’re not sweating initially, sweat a lot and then when it gets more severe, you sweat less, actually. Your body starts clamping down,” Zifferblatt said.
He said those symptoms can worsen quickly if someone stays in the heat.
“It progresses very quickly. Once you hit the first couple phases, unless you get out of the sun, you can start vomiting. You can get a terrible headache. You can actually pass out. Like I said, it can progress fairly rapidly,” Zifferblatt said.
He noted there is a difference between heat illness and simply feeling tired after being outdoors.
“Fatigue. You’ll see your muscles are aching, and that’s just kind of the beginning, but you’re not feeling any other symptoms go along with that,” he said.
If someone begins experiencing symptoms of heat exhaustion, the first step is to cool down. Moving into the shade can reduce the risk of heat-related illness, and taking breaks and staying hydrated can help your body stay cool. Doctors say anyone can be affected by the heat, whether they are on a golf course or doing yard work. Young children and seniors are among the most vulnerable populations, especially if they don’t have access to air conditioning.
“We certainly see enough elderly that don’t have air conditioning. Sad to say that they can’t get cool and they get overheated, even in their own homes, so that’s a worry as well,” Zifferblatt said.
People with certain medical conditions also need to take extra precautions.
“If you have known cardiovascular disease, you really have to take care of yourself,” Zifferblatt said, adding “there are a variety of different cardiovascular medications that can make you more sun sensitive.”
Some medications can also make it harder for the body to cool itself, increasing the risk of overheating.
Staying hydrated becomes especially important as temperatures rise. For people who are sweating heavily, sports drinks can help replace what the body has lost, Zifferblatt said.
“If you’re diabetic, you need to make sure you’re using non-sugar type things, but Gatorade and electrolytes are always good to put back in your body. Pedialytes are always good as well,” he said.
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