SAN ANTONIO — As triple-digit temperatures scorch the Alamo City at the onset of what's expected to be the hottest stretch of the year, health professionals are sounding the alarm on keeping residents cool and safe.
Since Aug. 1, Baptist Health System has treated nearly 80 cases of heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration. The Westover Hills Baptist Hospital, which opened July 30, has treated seven of these cases this month.
Dr. David Lim, who chairs the Department of Emergency Medicine at Baptist Health, pointed out how certain people are especially at risk of being negatively impacted by extreme heat.
“That scorching heat in general makes me fearful of what could happen to our community,” Lim said. “Elderly who have difficulty regulating their temperatures, pediatrics who have difficulty explaining or knowing what their symptoms might be. Also our homeless population is already outside, exposed to the heat.”
As dangerous heat strengthens, Baptist Health urges everyone to drink plenty of fluids, wear loose-fitting clothing and avoid heavy meals. Taking care of outdoor activities during the coolest periods of the day like early in the morning or evening can also help you to avid getting sick from the sun.
“Headache, fatigue, weakness, maybe a little bit of nausea—those are times when your body’s kind of telling you, 'Hey you, take a little break, get some shade, drink some water,'" Lim said.
Temperatures are expected to range from 102 to 107. Taking the heat index into account, it could feel more like 103 to 112. University Health and UT Health San Antonio's Dr. Ralph Riviello stressed the importance of staying indoors whenever possible.
“Fortunately, we’ve not had any serious illnesses,” said Riviello, a professor who also chairs the Emergency Medicine Department. “A lot of it had been people who had been outside doing something, realizing they might have been out there too long. A lot of it is common sense things... when it’s super hot, if you don’t need to be outside, don’t be outside. Don’t work outside in the height of the heat."
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