Saskatoon doctor offers tips on how to avoid heat illness

Being exposed to extreme heat can pose more of a threat than some may consider.

Sunburns aren’t the only consequences people may face in this heat if they’re not careful.

Saskatoon physician Carla Holinaty said the temperatures we are facing are no joke.

“There are a whole host of different ways that you can react to the sun … all the way from things simple that you might think of like a heat rash or a sunburn up to something really serious like heatstroke or death from the sun,” she said.

During these high temperatures, Holinaty expressed how important it is for people to plan ahead to keep themselves safe. She said part of people’s planning should be doing outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day — early in the morning or after the sun has gone down in the evening.

“If you are a person who knows that you are going to want to exercise outside or you want to do work in your yard, it’s really important to plan ahead,” she said.

Other important tips Holinaty suggested are taking regular breaks to cool down if people are outside, drinking lots of water to stay hydrated, and being extra cautious with vulnerable people such as small children, babies, people with chronic illnesses, and the elderly.

Heatstroke is one of the biggest dangers when it comes to heat illnesses.

“(It’s) the most serious life-threatening response to being in prolonged heat. When people have heatstroke, this is when they’re really quite sick,”  Holinaty said.

Holinaty outlined the main symptoms of heatstroke.

“Their body can’t control its temperature anymore and your core temperature starts to rise,” she said. “You kind of lose the ability to sweat … They start to have changes in their consciousness. So these are people that are passing out or seem very confused and like they are not themselves anymore.”

Heatstroke is a medical emergency; anyone with heatstroke must seek medical help right away and do things to cool down to prevent long-term complications or even death.

“If somebody around you is starting to look like they’re getting a sunburn or they’re starting to behave strangely, we need to sort of all take care of each other in these situations,” Holinaty said.

Holinaty expressed the importance of listening to your body’s cues. If you feel too hot or unwell, seek shade and cool down.

Holinaty says doctors expect to see increased calls and emergency room visits this week.

Payton Zillich, 650 CKOM

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Brent Bosker