With the weather in the upcoming few days expected to be in the 90’s or above, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is advising residents to take precautions when heading outdoors this weekend. The following information is taken directly from the Massachusetts DPH website. Residents with any concerns should consult with their physician or seek medical advice before taking any action recommended in this content.
HIGHLIGHTS
- People with chronic medical and psychiatric conditions are more prone to heat stress.
- Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death. During conditions of extreme heat, spend time in locations with air-conditioning.
- Listen to local news and weather channels or contact the DPH during extreme heat conditions for health and safety updates
- Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages and increase fluid intake, regardless of activity level.
People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable to compensate and properly cool themselves. The body normally cools itself by sweating. Certain psychiatric medications impair this critical physiological function. Furthermore, under some conditions, sweating just isn’t enough for any of us. In such cases, a person’s body temperature rises rapidly. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs.
Several factors affect the body’s ability to cool itself during extremely hot weather. When the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly. Other conditions related to risk include age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol use.
Because heat-related deaths are preventable, we need to be aware of who is at greatest risk and what actions can be taken to prevent a heat-related illness or death. Our inpatients and clients with mental illness and chronic diseases are at highest risk, along with the elderly and the very young. However, even young and healthy individuals can succumb to heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather.
Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death. If an apartment or residential setting is not air-conditioned, people can reduce their risk for heat-related illness by spending time in public facilities that are air-conditioned, such as malls, libraries, or community shelters set-up specifically for this purpose.
The warning signs of Heat Stroke include:
- An extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees F)
- Red, hot, dry skin ( no sweating)
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Throbbing headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion or disorientation
Heat Exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of extreme heat and inadequate or unbalanced fluid intake.
Again…residents who have concerns regarding heat related illnesses should seek their own medical advice.
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