COVID-19 isn’t the only threat to your health this summer | Opinion
Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are health concerns, especially for older Americans and vulnerable people.
- Rep. Mark Green is an emergency room physician and decorated combat veteran who serves on the House Oversight and Homeland Security Committees.
The next few weeks are peak heat season for the State of Tennessee and while we may still be in pandemic mode, we can’t forget the other health risks at play.
An average of 658 people die due to extreme heat each year, according to the CDC. An EPA study from August 2016 showed that heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States.
The isolation from COVID-19 puts our seniors at even greater risk of heat injuries than usual. Of the 658 heat deaths recorded each year, the majority are people over the age of 65 or people who live alone.
As with every other cause of death, the elderly are the most vulnerable members of our society, and it’s important that we do everything we can to protect them — but it’s especially important right now.
We should make sure seniors know what tell-tale signs of heat injuries to look for, and families should check in a little more frequently during this season.
What are the 3 types of heat injuries?
There are three types of heat injuries, and each is successively worse: Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
When we’re not accustomed to exercising in the heat, we put ourselves at risk for heat cramps. These are painful cramps in the arms, legs, or abdomen brought on by a combination of physical exercise, dehydration, and heat exposure. They’re easy enough to treat, with rest, rehydration, and electrolytes, but can cause serious pain if not treated immediately.
Heat exhaustion happens after we’ve been exposed to extreme heat. Some of the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion are dizziness, fatigue, pale skin, and profuse sweating, and the first way to treat it is by getting out of the heat and rehydrating. But if untreated, it can lead to heat stroke.
The most serious form of heat injury is heat stroke. Also known as sunstroke, this condition is considered a medical emergency and should be treated immediately.
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Some of the signs and symptoms of heat stroke are headaches, rapid heart rate, flushed face and delirium. The condition results from prolonged exposure to heat or sun, and if untreated, it can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles.
The best way to treat heat stroke is to call your doctor and get inside to cool down immediately. The longer treatment is delayed, the greater the risk of serious complications or death.
Check up on older Americans regularly
Heat injuries are dangerous. Between 2006 and 2010, 326,497 people visited the emergency department for cases of acute heat illnesses.
By taking some very simple steps, we can prevent this from happening. For seniors, however, that’s a little more difficult right now.
While our elderly loved ones are isolating, we should check up on them to make sure they’re not staying out in the heat for any extended period of time, that they’re hydrated, and that they’re staying cool with loose, breathable clothing.
The most important thing is to know the risk. Heat injuries are preventable when we understand the threat that too-high body temperatures pose, and stay inside when it’s just too hot to handle.
U.S. Rep. Mark Green is an emergency room physician and decorated combat veteran who serves on the House Oversight and Homeland Security Committees. The Republican lawmaker represents District 7 in the U.S. House of Representatives.
