With hot, humid conditions expected into early next week, Newman Regional Health Dr. Aaron Watters is encouraging people to plan ahead and hopefully beat the heat.
Watters started noticing issues during Unbound Gravel activities last weekend, when humidity joined temperatures in the mid-80s — but we also had an extended period of cool, damp conditions for over two weeks prior. Emporia Fire only took four people to the hospital’s emergency room for treatment of heat issues and injuries, but Watters says the emergency room traffic was notably higher than that with people suffering from heat stress. He says a heat rash may be the first sign of trouble. That could be followed by signs of heat exhaustion, including heavy sweating, clammy skin, headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea and cramps. Heat stroke is the next step and it requires immediate medical attention.
Watters says it’s best to plan ahead, whether by shifting outdoor activities to morning or evening or by pre-hydrating with water.
Air temperatures will be in the low 90s, but the heat index could climb to near 100 degrees Thursday and could go above 100 degrees Friday.
