Rising Temperatures Mean Increased Health Risk

Kalamazoo, Mich.- With temperatures expected to rise over the weekend, it’s important for citizens to take steps to protect themselves from the dangerous effects of excessive heat.

“Excess heat can create extra stress on the body and mind,” said Kalamazoo County Chief Medical Officer Dr. Richard Tooker. “Luckily, your best defense against heat-related illness is prevention. Increasing your fluid intake, limiting outdoor activities, and wearing light fabrics when it’s hot and humid can help your body cope when the temperatures rise.”

High temperatures can place abnormal stress on a person’s body. When body temperatures rise even just a few degrees, individuals may experience muscle cramps, dizziness, confusion, and lethargy. This can result in dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and the most severe – heat stroke. Heat stroke can be life threatening and immediate emergency medical attention is vital.

Elderly people, young children, and those who are sick or overweight are more likely to become victims of excessive heat. Because men sweat more than women do, they become more quickly dehydrated and are more susceptible to heat illness. Pets, horses, and livestock are also susceptible to difficulties from excessive heat. Animals do not perspire and rely on panting, wetting down, shade, cool earth, and drinking water for cooling.

For more information about heat safety, including how residents can protect themselves from heat-related illness, how to recognize heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and what to do during a heat wave, visit the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department’s website at www.kalcounty.com/hcs. Heat prevention tips are also available on the KCHCS public health emergency information hotline at 269-373-5300.

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