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Warnings issues regarding excessive heat
By Kim Nguyen, Staff Writer
Tropical Storm Eduardo may bring some relief from the excessive heat that has been blanketing the North Texas area, but it will still be hot.
According to the National Weather Service, the Dallas-Fort Worth area has seen 12 consecutive days with high temperatures peaking at more than 100 degrees.
The hottest day of the year so far has been Aug. 3 for several of the NWS data collection sites at North Texas airports. The hottest local temperature recorded was 107 degrees at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. Temperatures reached 105 degrees at Love Field in Dallas, Meacham Airport in Fort Worth and the Waco Regional Airport. Both Arlington and McKinney municipal airports recorded high temperatures at 104 degrees.
Heat-related illnesses range from heat exhaustion, usually when a person spends too much time outside and is dehydrated, to heat stroke, when a person’s core temperature exceeds 105 degrees. Normal body temperature is 98.6, plus or minus a few degrees variation, Gamber said.
“A patient’s core temperature can range anywhere between 103-104 degrees when they are suffering from heat exhaustion,” Gamber said. “But heat exhaustion can happen anytime the outside temperature is more than normal body temperature.”
Gamber explained that a person being exceedingly active on a 99-degree day can feel the symptoms of heat exhaustion, which include weakness, vomiting, dizziness, light-headedness, a fast heart rate and a core temperature between 103-104 degrees.
If any of the symptoms are present, medical experts strongly advise patients to go inside to cool down and drink ice water.
Gamber also suggests residents to take shelter in cooled community access areas, such as malls and shopping areas. The Plano Salvation Army location on 14th Street also provides a “cooling center” to anyone feeling fatigued or exhausted from the heat.
Heat exhaustion can escalate to heat stroke if symptoms are not treated. Symptoms of heat stroke are the same as heat exhaustion, but with a core temperature of more than 105 degrees and a rapid heart rate. Coma, paralysis and death can follow a heat stroke if emergency treatment is not immediately given. In extreme cases, patients experiencing a heat stroke can receive permanent brain damage.
“We typically see more heat-related illnesses during the late summer when the football teams start holding the two-a-day practices,” said Brennan Bryant, emergency room director at the Medical Center at Plano.
Bryant says though there has not been a significant increase of heat-illness related patients to the hospital during the recent excessive heat days, the hospital does see an occasional victim.
Presbyterian Hospital in Plano treated between eight and 10 heat-related problems in July 2008 compared to only one or two during the entire summer in 2007, said Jim Kyle, emergency room director at the Presbyterian Hospital in Plano. The majority of those were individuals were treated for heat exhaustion symptoms and released.
Fortunately, Plano has not had any reported deaths due to the extreme heat.
Dallas County authorities reported the deaths of two men, ages 49 and 84, and an 82-year-old woman last week. The Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office says the deaths began in June and are growing concerned of the effects of the extreme heat throughout the rest of the summer.
“People of extreme ages, geriatric and pediatric, are most susceptible of heat-related illnesses because they have problems maintaining the body’s core temperature,” Gamber explained.
The heat triple-digit temperatures also took a toll on six Fort Worth police officers, who were treated for heat-related conditions after an extremely hot weekend, which exceeded 103 degrees.
The current record for most consecutive days with temperatures more than 100 degrees in the Dallas-Fort Worth area was set with 42 days in 1980.
The National Weather Service issues heat advisory when afternoon head indices of 105 degrees or greater are expected for two consecutive days, with an overnight low temperature between those days of 78 degrees or higher. An excessive heat warning is issued for afternoon heat indices of 110 or greater for two consecutive days, with a 78 degree overnight low, said Gary Woodall, National Weather Service spokesperson for the North Texas region.
North Texas has been under a heat advisory since the morning of July 31, and an excessive heat warning until 7 p.m. from Aug. 2-4.
The City of Plano Health Department distributed newsletters to residents reminding them to take several steps to avoid heat-related illnesses.
* Drink two to five times more water and non-sugar, non-alcoholic beverages to reduce fluids lost through perspiration.
* Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing and wide brimmed hats while in the sun.
* Use sunscreen with an SPF15 or more.
* Take frequent breaks limiting physical activity. Rest in a cool place. Public buildings are a great place to step into the cool.
* Stay in an air conditioned area if possible. If no air conditioning is available, fans are helpful.
* Use the buddy system between co-workers in high heat jobs.
* Older people should have a friend or relative check on them or call twice a day.
* When planning activities choose cooler hours to be outdoors.
* Before prolonged work or exercise outdoors, listen to weather forecasts and give special attention to advisories.
* Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle in hot weather, even for a short period.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
France wrote on Aug 8, 2008 4:39 PM:
" During the summer of 2003, France had over 14,000 residents die from heat-related causes during a heat wave. The Paris hospitals do not have AC and they ran out of ice. Think about that next time you hear some Democrat promoting France's healthcare system. "
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