As the temperature at 6 p.m. June 22 hit the 100-degree mark, with a heat index of 103 in Wyandotte County, doctors expressed concern about heat-related illnesses.
According to the University of Kansas Hospital, there have been an average of 2.5 patients a day coming in for heat-related treatment.
In each case, the patients had other medical conditions that were made worse by the heat, the spokesman said. Most patients were treated and released.
According to KU Hospital’s Dr. Lee Norman, chief medical officer, the elderly, the very young and those with health conditions are usually the first to feel the consequences of a heat wave, but a prolonged forecast for high heat and humidity may have an effect on the healthiest people if there is long-term exposure to the heat.
Drinking fluids is critical for anyone out in the heat even for a brief while, Dr. Norman said. He said sports drinks that provide electrolytes are preferred, but water is also an important option.
He urged people to avoid alcohol, drinks with caffeine and drinks with carbonation.
The doctor also advised to pay attention to urination. If a person is not urinating or if it is a dark color, the person needs to concentrate on hydration.
“Head to the hospital if you are not urinating, are becoming confused or disoriented,” Dr. Norman said. “If you’re exhibiting the early signs, get hydrated. If you are home and not in air-conditioning, take cool baths or dab yourself with a wet towel in front of a fan,” he said.
In the video, Dr. Norman says hydration is critical for anyone out in the heat even for a brief while. He says sports drinks which provide electrolytes are preferred but water is also an important option. He urges people to avoid alcohol, drinks with caffeine and drinks with carbonation. Dr. Norman says a key is to pay attention to urination. If you are not urinating or if it is a dark color, you need to concentrate on hydration. “Head to the hospital if you are not urinating, are becoming confused or disoriented. If you’re exhibiting the early signs, get hydrated. If you are home and not in air conditioning, take cool baths or dab yourself with a wet towel in front of a fan,” warns Dr. Norman.
Heat and humidity this high frustrates the body’s natural ways to cool itself. The elderly, the very young and those with health conditions are usually the first the feel the consequences of a heat wave, but this prolonged forecast for high heat and humidity can have an impact on the healthiest people if there is long term exposure to the heat,” says Lee Norman, MD, chief medical officer of The University of Kansas Hospital.
KU doctors also suggested letting a youngster in the neighborhood cut the lawn under these conditions.
The hospital spokesman said the early warning signs of overtaxing the heart include dizziness, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, feeling faint and in more serious cases, chest pains. Even people in relatively good shape may be at risk during the hot summer days.
While exercise is considered beneficial, people who have heart disease should exercise only as part of a health program overseen by their physician, the spokesman said. For tips about heart and heat, visit the American Heart Association website at heart.org.