Summer is a time for outdoor activities and fun in the sun, but the combination of extreme temperatures and high humidity can be very dangerous. When forecasted temperatures rise into the 90s, the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) urges Hudson Valley residents to take extra precautions to stay safe.
"A day or two of extreme temperatures and humidity is typically not a cause for concern for most healthy people who limit their exposure to the heat and are careful to stay hydrated," said Ivan Miller, MD, Director of Emergency Medicine at Westchester Medical Center, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital and MidHudson Regional Hospital, all members of WMCHealth. "The weather becomes a cause for concern when temperatures and humidity remain elevated for three or four days or more, and the emergency department begins to see an increase in visits by people suffering from heat-related illness."
Particularly at risk are infants and young children, older adults and those whose work requires them to spend extended periods of time outdoors, such as road crews, sanitation workers, and public safety officers.
Heat emergencies include heat cramps, signaled by cramping of the abdominal muscles and arm or leg muscles, and heat exhaustion, signaled by profuse sweating, nausea and cramps of the arm or leg muscles. These weather emergencies can be corrected by getting out of the heat and staying hydrated, said Geralyn Flaherty, RN, MPH, CEM, Clinical Director of Emergency Services, CDU and Stat Ground at Westchester Medical Center, but if these precautions are not taken, they could also lead to more serious illnesses like heat stroke.
"Heat stroke is most commonly seen in people who have untreated heat exhaustion, with their body losing its ability to cool itself down," Flaherty said. Heat stroke can lead to seizures and possibly death."
To beat the summer heat and avoid possible illnesses, stay hydrated, especially on days when heat and humidity are high. "If you believe that you may be suffering from the effects of heat, remove yourself from the heat, cool off and seek medical attention," said Dr. Miller. Contact Westchester Medical Center's Emergency Department at (914) 493-7307, or the Pediatric Emergency Department at (914) 493-6001.
To keep you and your family safe during this week's high temperatures, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these extreme heat safety tips, endorsed by Westchester Medical Center:
- Limit your exposure to the heat, sun or locations without proper ventilation.
- Wear breathable, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Check on the elderly, who may be unaware of their limitations or may spend too much time exposed due to slow movement.
- Drink plenty of water before, during and after outdoor activity. Avoid alcoholic beverages that can have an adverse effect on your body's ability to regulate heat.
