Record heat prompts health professionals to issue warning about heat-related illnesses
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- As temperatures increase throughout the summer, healthcare professionals are warning the community about signs of heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Medical professionals at Optum Health Services are asking the community to watch for signs of either illness and be prepared to seek medical attention if symptoms stick around.
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health, a 2020 report shows that there were 302 heat-related emergency visits in Colorado. In 2020, Pueblo County had the highest hospitalization rates of any county in the state.
Optum's Senior Medical Director, Kenda Robison, said the following symptoms can indicate heat exhaustion:
- Headache
- Heavy sweating
- Tiredness or weakness
- Feeling flushed
- Dizziness
- Light-headed
According to the Center for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC), if people are feeling any of these symptoms, move to a cool place, loosen clothes, put cool and wet cloths on their body or take a cool bath, and sip water. However, they mention if a person is throwing up or symptoms get work or last longer than an hour, seek medical attention.
Robison said if symptoms persist untreated, it can lead to a heat-related stroke. If heat exhaustion is not treated, more severe health conditions like heat stroke can occur.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the following symptoms are signs of heat stroke:
- High Body temperature (103 F or higher)
- Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
- Fast, strong pulse
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Losing consciousness
According to the CDC, if people have any of these symptoms, they recommend call 911 and move to a cooler place. They also mention not to drink anything.
Robison said she feels like people can underestimate the seriousness of heat-related illnesses, and most people don't realize how rapidly it can occur.
"You know, we can all be outside enjoying a fun day, and then all of a sudden, these symptoms develop that can be related to heat exhaustion and even heat stroke. So again, being aware of those symptoms so you can catch them early and treat them is vitally important so you can avoid the serious condition of heat stroke," said Robison.
Robison said there are easy ways to prevent heat exhaustion.
"You just want to be prepared. Make sure you have some water, and cooling towels that you can use, and make sure that you're going to wear light clothing, and easy-to-breath fabrics, and make sure to not stay outside for too long of a period of time," said Robison.
Robison said those more vulnerable to heat exhaustion are athletes, children, infants, and people over the age of 65.
She said parents should look for signs of heat exhaustion in their children.
"If they're looking really exhausted, and they can't keep up, or maybe they're complaining, mommy, I'm a little bit dizzy or light-headed, that's symptoms to look out for. So if they don't seem like themselves, you might want to get them out of the heat, make sure they have something to drink, mostly water again, a sports drink or juice, and just get them cooled down," said Kendra Robison.
