Health experts explain how to stay safe in hot weather
WE’VE BEEN SPOILED THE LAST FEW DAYS. IT’S BEEN IN THE 80S, BUT THAT IS ABOUT TO CHANGE. 90S AND LOTS OF THEM COMING OUR WAY. WXII 12 JOSHUA DAVIS SPOKE WITH LOCAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ABOUT WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR AND HE JOINS US LIVE IN WINSTON-SALEM WITH THE LATEST. NOW JOSHUA. DR. MICHAEL FITCH OF ATRIUM HEALTH WAKE FOREST BAPTIST SAYS IN THIS KIND OF WEATHER, IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER AND TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE SIGNS OF HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES. DR. FITCH SAYS THOSE SIGNS CAN COME IN A FEW DIFFERENT WAYS. HE SAYS HEAT CRAMPS ARE USUALLY THE FIRST SIGN THAT A PERSON IS OVERHEATED AND DEHYDRATED WITH A PERSON TYPICALLY EXPERIENCING MUSCLE SPASMS. FROM THERE, IF A PERSON START SEEING SYMPTOMS LIKE HEAVY SWEATING, APPEARING PALE OR LIGHTHEADEDNESS, THEN THAT PERSON COULD BE SUFFERING FROM HEAT EXHAUSTION. DR. FITCH SAYS IF YOU NOTICE ANY OF THESE SIGNS, IT’S IMPERATIVE TO STOP WHATEVER YOU’RE DOING IMMEDIATELY AND TO REST. YOU SHOULDN’T MOVE OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT, PREFERABLY TO A SHADED AREA OR AN AIR CONDITIONED AREA, AND DRINK WATER TO RECOVER UNTREATED HEAT EXHAUSTION CAN RUN THE RISK OF TURNING INTO A HEAT STROKE. NOW WE’RE TALKING ABOUT A REAL EMERGENCY. IF YOU’RE CONCERNED THAT SOMEBODY THAT YOU’RE WITH IS SUFFERING FROM A HEAT STROKE, YOU SHOULD CALL 911, BRING THEM TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, AND WE WILL ASSESS THEM AND PROVIDE THEM WITH HELP. THIS WOLD BE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ACTING LIKE THEIR NORMAL SELVES. THEY’RE STARTING TO ACT IN UNUSUAL WAYS, SAY THINGS THAT DON’T MAKE A WHOLE LOT OF SENSE. THAT’S A WARNING SIGN THAT THEIR BODIES ARE NOT TOLERATING THAT HEAT VERY WELL. DR. FITCH ALSO SAYS THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOURSELF BEFORE YOU HEAD OUTSIDE IS TO STAY PREPARED BY STAYING HYDRATED AND DRESSING APPROPRIATE. IN WINSTON-SALEM, I’M JOSHUA
Health experts give tips on how to stay safe in hot weather
Updated: 7:51 PM EDT Jul 24, 2023
Higher heat and humidity are returning to the triad this week, with temperatures climbing well into the 90s. Top StoriesFire crews battle flames at Mediterranean Deli in Chapel HillTwo lucky tickets in North Carolina snag $1 million lottery winArtist highlights local hip hop DJ through new mural in Downtown Winston-SalemGet the latest news stories of interest by clicking here Dr. Michael Fitch at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist says in this kind of weather, it’s important people watch out for each other and to stay on the lookout for the signs of heat-related illnesses.Fitch said those signs can come in a few different ways. He says heat cramps are usually the first sign that a person is overheated and dehydrated, with a person typically experiencing muscle spasms. From there, if a person starts seeing symptoms like heavy sweating, appearing pale, or lightheadedness, then that person could be suffering from heat exhaustion. Fitch said if you notice any of these signs, it’s imperative to stop whatever you’re doing immediately and rest. He says you should move out of direct sunlight, preferably to a shaded and air-conditioned area, and drink water to recover. If untreated, heat exhaustion can run the risk of turning into a heat stroke. “Now we’re talking about a real emergency,” he said. “If you’re concerned that somebody that you’re with is suffering from a heatstroke, you should call 911, bring him to the emergency department. And we will assess them and provide them with help. This would be people who are not acting like their normal selves; they’re starting to act in unusual ways, say things that don’t make a whole lot of sense. That’s a warning sign that their bodies are not tolerating that heat very well.”Fitch says the best thing you can do for yourself before you head outside is stay prepared, and said there are two major things people need to keep in mind. The first thing is staying hydrated, which means drinking plenty of water and keeping some on hand regardless of what you’re doing outside.The second is making sure you’re properly dressed. He says It’s important to wear clothes that not only shade you from the sun as much as possible but also help dissipate heat. One example would be light-colored clothing. NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We Love |Trending StoriesKeep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —
Higher heat and humidity are returning to the triad this week, with temperatures climbing well into the 90s.
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Dr. Michael Fitch at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist says in this kind of weather, it’s important people watch out for each other and to stay on the lookout for the signs of heat-related illnesses.
Fitch said those signs can come in a few different ways.
He says heat cramps are usually the first sign that a person is overheated and dehydrated, with a person typically experiencing muscle spasms. From there, if a person starts seeing symptoms like heavy sweating, appearing pale, or lightheadedness, then that person could be suffering from heat exhaustion.
Fitch said if you notice any of these signs, it’s imperative to stop whatever you’re doing immediately and rest. He says you should move out of direct sunlight, preferably to a shaded and air-conditioned area, and drink water to recover. If untreated, heat exhaustion can run the risk of turning into a heat stroke.
“Now we’re talking about a real emergency,” he said. “If you’re concerned that somebody that you’re with is suffering from a heatstroke, you should call 911, bring him to the emergency department. And we will assess them and provide them with help. This would be people who are not acting like their normal selves; they’re starting to act in unusual ways, say things that don’t make a whole lot of sense. That’s a warning sign that their bodies are not tolerating that heat very well.”
Fitch says the best thing you can do for yourself before you head outside is stay prepared, and said there are two major things people need to keep in mind.
The first thing is staying hydrated, which means drinking plenty of water and keeping some on hand regardless of what you’re doing outside.
The second is making sure you’re properly dressed. He says It’s important to wear clothes that not only shade you from the sun as much as possible but also help dissipate heat. One example would be light-colored clothing.
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