Fort Bend County’s health director is warning people without air conditioning to spend time in public facilities that are cooled, to avoid serious health problems caused by the intense heat wave facing the area.
“Intense heat and high humidity may cause the body’s temperature to rise rapidly to dangerous levels, leading to the possibility of heat illness or death,” said Dr. Jean Galloway, director of Fort Bend County Health and Human Services. “Prevention is the best defense against heat-related illness.”
The elderly, the very young and people with chronic disease or no access to air conditioning are the most vulnerable to heat-related illness, she added.
“Staying in an air-conditioned area, either at home or in a public place such as a mall, library or recreation center, is the most effective way to combat heat,” Galloway said. If air conditioning is not available, people should open the windows, pull the shades down to keep out the sun and use cross-ventilation and fans to cool rooms.
Symptoms of heat illness include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, nausea, weak but rapid pulse and headaches. People with these symptoms should find shade, drink water slowly and make sure there is good ventilation.
If fluids are not replaced soon enough, heat stroke can follow causing extremely high body temperature, red and dry skin, rapid pulse, confusion, brain damage, loss of consciousness and death, Galloway said.
To help a person showing severe symptoms, get the person into shade, call for emergency medical services and start cooling the person immediately with cool water, she said.
Children especially can quickly become dehydrated, Galloway noted. They need to drink fluids frequently, especially water, and wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothes. Children should be checked on often, especially if they are playing outside in high temperatures, she added.
Galloway offered the following advice for dealing with intense summer heat:
* Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle in hot weather.
* Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid drinks with alcohol, caffeine or a lot of sugar. Don’t wait until you are thirsty. Start drinking fluids 30 minutes before going out.
* Plan strenuous outdoor activity for early morning or evening when the temperature is lower.
* Take frequent breaks when working outside.
* Wear sunscreen SPF 15 or higher, wide-brimmed hats and light-colored, loose-fitting clothes.
* Eat more frequently, but be sure meals are well balanced, cool and light.
* Dress infants and children in cool, loose clothing. Shade their heads and faces with hats or an umbrella.
* Check frequently on the elderly, the ill and others who may need help.
* Limit physical activity until you become accustomed to the heat.
* Check with a doctor about the effects of sun and heat when taking prescription drugs, especially diuretics or antihistamines.
