It’s official, it’s a heatwave. Dangerous weather means being safe is something you do need to think about. One of the most difficult aspects of dealing with extreme weather, is knowing if someone is becoming dehydrated or overheated.
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital & Weill Cornell Medicine Emergency Medicine Physician Dr. Alexis Halpern, has put together some useful guidelines to stay safe and healthy.
- Avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, caffeine, soda, or fruit juice, all of which contribute to dehydration.
- Help replace lost fluids from your body by drinking more than your usual water or sports drinks.
- Try to limit exercise and other forms of exertion to cooler periods of the day, either early morning or in the evening.
- Rest if you feel tired or weak.
- Be aware that some medications may make you more vulnerable to dehydration.
- Wear a hat and light-colored clothing
- Apply wet towels to your neck or wear a wet headband to help beat the heat.
- If the air temperature is more than 95 degrees Fahrenheit, fans may be ineffective at cooling. Use air conditioning instead.
- In these extreme temperatures, try to avoid being outside or in direct sunlight. Try to stay inside, preferably in air-conditioned environments.
- Check in on your elderly neighbors and those who may not be able to help themselves. Either the very young or the very old are more prone to heat-related illness and dehydration.