Doctor: Stay cool in summer heat
Joe Lemmons
The summer of 2015 so far has been one of the hottest in years and there’s many more hot days to come. The hotter temperatures began in the spring and have been relentless with just about every day in the mid to upper 90s.
Because of the “great” summer weather in Florida, more people tend to spend more time outside, says Dr. Joe Lemmons, physician medical director of the Lee County Department of Public Safety, and medical director of Emergency Services at Lehigh Regional Medical Center.
This is the time of the year when the season creates more opportunities for people to spend time outside. You can be working, exercising, or doing other activities. But Lemmons warns that it is important to protect yourself from heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
“It can happen to you – being overcome by the heat – before you hardly realize it,” Lemmons says. For that reason, he says it is important to heed warnings about excessive high heat now and over the next couple of months.
“This year in Southwest Florida summer started early with above average temperatures, and there is no sign of cooling down any time soon. Know what to expect when you are planning outdoor activities by checking the temperature and heat index.
“Try to plan exercise and outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day, early morning and very late afternoons,” Lemmon says.
“The best way to beat the high temperatures of course is to spend time in cool, air conditioned areas to prevent heat illness, but when you are in the heat, make sure to wear loose, light colored clothing and drink lots of water,” Lemmons says.
“Adults over 65, young children, people with existing medical problems such as heart disease and people without access to air conditioning are at a high risk for suffering from a heat related illness.”
Lemmon says that heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and rash occur when the body cannot cool itself down in extremely hot weather.
Heat stroke is the most severe form and can cause death or permanent disability if treatment is not provided. Regular checkups on individuals who have a higher risk for getting heat illnesses are important.
“And never, never leave children and pets in the car or outside in the heat. They can become fatal victims of extreme heat, ” he says.
Signs of problems arise when people start having heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and rash that may occur when the body cannot cool itself down in extremely hot weather.
Lemmons said heat stroke is the most severe form and can cause death or permanent disability if treatment is not provided immediately.
“Regularly check on individuals who have a higher risk for getting heat illnesses and do not leave children and your pets in a car or even outside,” he said again.
Here are some of the warning signs for heat exhaustion. They can be heavy sweating, weakness, cold, pale, and clammy skin, fast or weak pulse, nausea or vomiting and even fainting.
“If you or someone near you who is experiencing these symptoms, take the following steps, Lemmon suggests:
Move them to a cool location.
The person should lie down and their clothing should be loosened.
Cold and wet cloths should be applied.
The heat victim should sip water.
If you or the individual has vomited and it continues, seek medical attention immediately by calling 911.
“Heat stroke occurs when someone has a high body temperature above 103 degrees,” Lemmons says.
“Signs of heat stroke include hot, red, dry or moist skin, rapid and strong pulse or possible unconsciousness,” he added.
“It’s a good idea to get people who are suffering from the extreme heat to Lehigh Regional Medical Center where they can get immediate help,” he said.
“It can be a matter sometimes of life and death.”
Doctor: Stay cool in summer heat
Joe Lemmons
The summer of 2015 so far has been one of the hottest in years and there’s many more hot days to come. The hotter temperatures began in the spring and have been relentless with just about every day in the mid to upper 90s.
Because of the “great” summer weather in Florida, more people tend to spend more time outside, says Dr. Joe Lemmons, physician medical director of the Lee County Department of Public Safety, and medical director of Emergency Services at Lehigh Regional Medical Center.
This is the time of the year when the season creates more opportunities for people to spend time outside. You can be working, exercising, or doing other activities. But Lemmons warns that it is important to protect yourself from heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
“It can happen to you – being overcome by the heat – before you hardly realize it,” Lemmons says. For that reason, he says it is important to heed warnings about excessive high heat now and over the next couple of months.
“This year in Southwest Florida summer started early with above average temperatures, and there is no sign of cooling down any time soon. Know what to expect when you are planning outdoor activities by checking the temperature and heat index.
“Try to plan exercise and outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day, early morning and very late afternoons,” Lemmon says.
“The best way to beat the high temperatures of course is to spend time in cool, air conditioned areas to prevent heat illness, but when you are in the heat, make sure to wear loose, light colored clothing and drink lots of water,” Lemmons says.
“Adults over 65, young children, people with existing medical problems such as heart disease and people without access to air conditioning are at a high risk for suffering from a heat related illness.”
Lemmon says that heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and rash occur when the body cannot cool itself down in extremely hot weather.
Heat stroke is the most severe form and can cause death or permanent disability if treatment is not provided. Regular checkups on individuals who have a higher risk for getting heat illnesses are important.
“And never, never leave children and pets in the car or outside in the heat. They can become fatal victims of extreme heat, ” he says.
Signs of problems arise when people start having heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and rash that may occur when the body cannot cool itself down in extremely hot weather.
Lemmons said heat stroke is the most severe form and can cause death or permanent disability if treatment is not provided immediately.
“Regularly check on individuals who have a higher risk for getting heat illnesses and do not leave children and your pets in a car or even outside,” he said again.
Here are some of the warning signs for heat exhaustion. They can be heavy sweating, weakness, cold, pale, and clammy skin, fast or weak pulse, nausea or vomiting and even fainting.
“If you or someone near you who is experiencing these symptoms, take the following steps, Lemmon suggests:
Move them to a cool location.
The person should lie down and their clothing should be loosened.
Cold and wet cloths should be applied.
The heat victim should sip water.
If you or the individual has vomited and it continues, seek medical attention immediately by calling 911.
“Heat stroke occurs when someone has a high body temperature above 103 degrees,” Lemmons says.
“Signs of heat stroke include hot, red, dry or moist skin, rapid and strong pulse or possible unconsciousness,” he added.
“It’s a good idea to get people who are suffering from the extreme heat to Lehigh Regional Medical Center where they can get immediate help,” he said.
“It can be a matter sometimes of life and death.”
Doctor: Stay cool in summer heat
Joe Lemmons
The summer of 2015 so far has been one of the hottest in years and there’s many more hot days to come. The hotter temperatures began in the spring and have been relentless with just about every day in the mid to upper 90s.
Because of the “great” summer weather in Florida, more people tend to spend more time outside, says Dr. Joe Lemmons, physician medical director of the Lee County Department of Public Safety, and medical director of Emergency Services at Lehigh Regional Medical Center.
This is the time of the year when the season creates more opportunities for people to spend time outside. You can be working, exercising, or doing other activities. But Lemmons warns that it is important to protect yourself from heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
“It can happen to you – being overcome by the heat – before you hardly realize it,” Lemmons says. For that reason, he says it is important to heed warnings about excessive high heat now and over the next couple of months.
“This year in Southwest Florida summer started early with above average temperatures, and there is no sign of cooling down any time soon. Know what to expect when you are planning outdoor activities by checking the temperature and heat index.
“Try to plan exercise and outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day, early morning and very late afternoons,” Lemmon says.
“The best way to beat the high temperatures of course is to spend time in cool, air conditioned areas to prevent heat illness, but when you are in the heat, make sure to wear loose, light colored clothing and drink lots of water,” Lemmons says.
“Adults over 65, young children, people with existing medical problems such as heart disease and people without access to air conditioning are at a high risk for suffering from a heat related illness.”
Lemmon says that heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and rash occur when the body cannot cool itself down in extremely hot weather.
Heat stroke is the most severe form and can cause death or permanent disability if treatment is not provided. Regular checkups on individuals who have a higher risk for getting heat illnesses are important.
“And never, never leave children and pets in the car or outside in the heat. They can become fatal victims of extreme heat, ” he says.
Signs of problems arise when people start having heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and rash that may occur when the body cannot cool itself down in extremely hot weather.
Lemmons said heat stroke is the most severe form and can cause death or permanent disability if treatment is not provided immediately.
“Regularly check on individuals who have a higher risk for getting heat illnesses and do not leave children and your pets in a car or even outside,” he said again.
Here are some of the warning signs for heat exhaustion. They can be heavy sweating, weakness, cold, pale, and clammy skin, fast or weak pulse, nausea or vomiting and even fainting.
“If you or someone near you who is experiencing these symptoms, take the following steps, Lemmon suggests:
Move them to a cool location.
The person should lie down and their clothing should be loosened.
Cold and wet cloths should be applied.
The heat victim should sip water.
If you or the individual has vomited and it continues, seek medical attention immediately by calling 911.
“Heat stroke occurs when someone has a high body temperature above 103 degrees,” Lemmons says.
“Signs of heat stroke include hot, red, dry or moist skin, rapid and strong pulse or possible unconsciousness,” he added.
“It’s a good idea to get people who are suffering from the extreme heat to Lehigh Regional Medical Center where they can get immediate help,” he said.
“It can be a matter sometimes of life and death.”
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