With temperatures climbing toward 100 degree, medical professionals urge Northeast Florida residents to take steps to keep themselves cool and hydrated.
So far, the Mayo Clinic and UF Health Jacksonville have not seen more people come to their emergency rooms for heat stroke or dehydration, but residents should be proactive to avoid these potentially dangerous situations.
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Northeast Florida on Monday after forecasts reached 97 degrees with a heat index of 110 degrees.
Medical professionals recommend that residents drink plenty of water, go inside often to cool down and wear light clothing.
Residents tend to underestimate the effect heat can have on their bodies, said Dr. Vandana Bhide, a Mayo Clinic physician. “We live in Florida, so I think we all think we’re used to it,” she said. “What people do is they wait until they’re thirsty, and that’s too late.”
Dehydration can cause fatigue and irritability. Heat stroke is much more serious and is particularly dangerous for elderly residents, children and infants.
Dr. Richard Westenbarger, assistant professor of emergency medicine at UF Health Jacksonville, said heat stroke raises the temperature of one’s body and restricts blood flow to the organs, leading to a variety of serious issues like a seizure, a heart attacks, kidney failure and a coma.
He said Florida’s humidity can make the heat much worse, especially if people aren’t drinking enough water. Humidity can keep sweat from evaporating, which negates any cooling effects from the sweat.
He said residents should try and drink 10 or 11 cups of water a day, rather than the recommended eight glasses. He said water is best, but a watered-down sports drink will also work if someone wants to replenish some electrolytes after exercise.
Bhide said drinking water is the best way to hydrate. Sports drinks often have too much sugar. Energy drinks, soda and alcohol will only dehydrate people more.
She said it’s best to avoid being outdoors around noon, but if resident must be outdoors, coming inside an air conditioned building for a half-hour will help regulate their body temperatures.
Westenbarger said it’s important to pay attention to one’s body and to recognize the signs of dehydration and heat stroke: dizziness, nausea and elevated heart rate. If you are feeling these symptoms and your skin is cool to the touch, you should go inside and cool off with water.
He said beachgoers should be especially careful about hydrating properly.
“It might not be a good idea to drink beers or cocktails on the beach, as much as they want to,” he said.
Meredith Rutland: (904) 359-4161