With Triad area temperatures set to remain in the 90s through the weekend, residents may become susceptible to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. This week Guilford County Emergency Services is urging residents to remain hydrated, and suggests avoiding caffeinated beverages and alcohol.
It’s best to stay in air-conditioned spaces, but when outdoors, wear hats, lightweight light-reflective clothing and sunscreen. Avoid strenuous activities, and if you must work outside, take frequent breaks and drink two to four glasses of water per hour.
Public information officer Scott Muthersbaugh says heat exhaustion can cause headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, excessive sweating and muscle cramps. Treatment involves stopping the activity, relocating to a cool place and hydrating heavily.
Heat stroke he says is more serious.
"That’s where you get into something like confusion, slurred speech, really hot skin, no sweating, potentially really rapid pulse, or loss of consciousness," he says. "And that really is like a medical emergency. So, that’s where we ask folks to call 9-1-1 immediately, take that patient and move to a cooler area — either the air conditioning or the shade — and really stay with that patient until help can arrive."
Muthersbaugh cautions that contrary to popular opinion, ice baths can actually cause additional medical problems. Also, during extreme heat you should never leave children or pets in parked cars where temperatures inside the vehicle can quickly turn deadly: up to 120 degrees within minutes and approaching 150 degrees in as little as one hour.
According to the American Red Cross, extreme heat causes more fatalities than any other weather condition.