Young man and heat stroke.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Summer Outlook was just released, and 2023 is going to be another scorcher of a summer in many places around the country. The report shows that temps will rise above normal levels across most regions in June, July, and especially August – with only a handful of states not expected to surpass last year’s record-breaking heat. NOAA notes this summer is expected to be among the warmest years ever recorded.
As temperatures rise and heat waves begin, safety concerns rise, too. “Heat puts stress on the body to maintain body temperature homeostasis,” explains Steven Maher, MD, an emergency medicine specialist in the Mayo Clinic Health System in Phoenix, Arizona – one of America’s hardest hit states for heat-related injuries. Body temperature homeostasis is how the body handles thermoregulation and keeps core temperatures within a stable, ideal condition.
If one gets too hot and that thermoregulation system starts to fail, one’s body may not be able to cool down properly and heat stroke can occur. This can lead to delirium, ataxia, seizures, multi-organ failure and, in many cases, become fatal or life-threatening. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that emergency departments get an average of 67,512 heat-related injury visits each year and that 9,236 patients end up being hospitalized. About 700 Americans also die from heat-related causes annually.
Even if one avoids the hospital, rising temperatures commonly lead to other heat illnesses “caused by dehydration and loss of salt and other electrolytes,” says Maher. He’s seen extreme temps cause problems when people spend too much time outside and forget to bring enough water; when skin isn’t protected and sunburn occurs; when people aren’t careful and experience thermal burns “from the pavement or other outdoor items that get very hot such as metal on cars;” and when children are left in vehicles without a supervising adult. “One of the most tragic problems I see as an emergency physician are children that are forgotten in hot cars,” Maher says.
While rising temps can affect anyone ill-prepared for them, such children and infants are especially vulnerable, and other individuals at higher risk for heat-related injury and illness include “pregnant people, people with higher BMIs, athletes, outdoor workers, older adults and those with pre-existing conditions,” Maher explains.
To avoid injury, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or other similar conditions, Maher advises to keep away from direct sunlight when possible (“try and plan activities early in the day before it gets hot,” he says), and to wear plenty of sunscreen. “I would recommend sunblock with frequent re-application to protect yourself from sunburn,” he suggests. He also urges never leaving a child unattended in a vehicle – even for short periods of time, and recommends that everyone stay cool in air-conditioned environments as often as possible. When outside, “wear light, breathable clothing that helps the body get rid of excess heat,” he says, and always be on the lookout “for signs of heat illness such as dizziness, fatigue, headache, malaise, and nausea.”
Above all, “drinking plenty of water is extremely important and adding electrolytes helps as well if working for extended periods outside,” he advises. “I can’t stress staying hydrated enough.”