It’s summer in Atlanta, and all that heat can come at a high price for people’s health.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures high in the 90s can put people at risk of muscle cramps, heat exhaustion and even heatstroke.
Recognizing the warning signs of heat-related illness starts with understanding how the body responds to extreme temperatures. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution spoke with heat waves researcher Daniel Smith, Ph.D., a Georgia native who has studied the health impacts of climate change as a clinical instructor and research associate at Emory University.
According to the heat expert, it’s Georgia’s humidity — as well as its warm temperatures — that is making things feel so hot.
How to spot symptoms of dehydration, heatstroke
Muscle cramping, heavy sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, nausea — dehydration and heat exhaustion can take many forms. Discolored urine, for instance, is often an early sign that someone is not well-hydrated.
“I think we have to teach people those warning signs of the body so that they can then listen and say, ‘OK, I’m getting too hot. I need to drink water. I need to drink an electrolyte solution,’” Smith said.
Untreated dehydration and heat exhaustion can worsen into heatstroke.
“If we think about heat-related illness as a spectrum, those more dangerous parts of the spectrum (are) where you’re becoming confused. Your heart rate starts to increase. You’re ultimately becoming dehydrated and your blood pressure is falling, which then can lead to the next part of the spectrum, which is heatstroke.”
According to the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heatstroke is the most serious heat-related illness, capable of causing permanent disability or death if untreated.
What to do if feeling dehydrated or having heatstroke
Feeling dehydrated? Don’t grab your favorite sports drink.
“For dehydration, the first thing is to just drink water,” Smith suggested. “You want cold water. I also recommend, if you’re outside, you want a balanced hydration solution: no Gatorade. I think Gatorade is kind of one of the worst things out there, because it’s got a lot of sugar, which will further dehydrate you.”
Instead, Smith advised using electrolyte tablets or packets with healthy salt balances.
“The biggest myth is that you should cool yourself slowly,” he added. “You want that cooling effect to be rapid. We don’t want to do it very slowly.”
He suggested getting inside quickly to somewhere with air conditioning or even taking a dip in a pool, if you have one. Cool showers can also help.
“If you have cooling towels, the places on your body to apply them are the back of the neck, under the arms and in the groin, because that’s where our body naturally releases its heat,” Smith said.
According to the CDC, anyone suffering from a heatstroke is in a medical emergency and needs to call 911 right away.
Advice to avoid heat-related health risks
Sometimes, it can’t be helped: You have to get outside and face the heat. For those moments, it’s best to consider your timing.
“If you’re going to be spending time outside, either working in your yard or going on a run, do it at the end of the day when it’s a little cooler — either in the morning or at the evening,” he said.
The Georgia heat wave researcher said it’s best to plan your outdoor activities before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. For those who can’t avoid spending time in the heat, Smith advised always having water on hand.
The CDC recommends staying in the shade as much as possible when outdoors, taking ample breaks and staying hydrated.
To know your community’s current heat index, visit weather.gov and type your information into the search bar asking for your city, state or ZIP code.
About the Author
Keep Reading
The Latest
Featured
