Your body is built to handle the heat—until it isn't. When a high-pressure weather system lingers and traps warm air, a heat dome forms and essentially bakes the surface like an oven, often lasting several days.

Sweating is your body's natural defense against the heat. But when high temperatures last for multiple consecutive days, that cooling system becomes overwhelmed causing heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

“Cooling down in the evening is key,” said Gordon Theisz, MD, FAAFP, associate professor of Family & Community Medicine at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University. “Staying in the heat puts more stress on the body. The higher the outside temperature, the harder it is for the body to lose that heat and lower its own temperature.”

Those most vulnerable to extreme heat — athletes, laborers, members of the military, older adults, young children, people with chronic illnesses — will need to take special care.  Extreme heat can also increase risk of pregnancy complications.

Heat exhaustion often occurs before heatstroke. By learning the signs and symptoms, you may be able to prevent irreversible damage. 

“The key is early treatment,” said Dr. Theisz. “The body is quite plastic. It can recover from a lot of things. But neurologic damage can be permanent, or can have a long, long recovery, if at all.”

Dr. Theisz offers these tips for staying safe during extreme heat:

  • Stay hydrated. Plain water is best.
  • Wear loose, light-colored clothing made of thin fabric.
  • Stay indoors during peak temperatures, generally in late afternoon 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Stay indoors or seek areas of shade and areas with moving air such as a fan.
  • Be mindful of medications. Beta blockers, antihistamines, blood pressure medicine, benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium) and more may contribute to heat-related illnesses.
  • Find a community cooling center. Check with your local news or call 211 for assistance.

Signs of heat exhaustion:

  • Dizziness.
  • Fatigue.
  • Headache.
  • Nausea.
  • Changes in vision.
  • Hot, flushed skin.
  • Muscle aches.

How to treat heat exhaustion:

  • Cool down immediately. Move indoors or into a shaded area.
  • Wet or mist skin with cool water.
  • Drink water or sports drinks. Do not drink anything with caffeine or alcohol.
  • Rest.

"If the person is not recovering from symptoms such as muscle aches, headache, nausea or fatigue with these standard measures,” said Dr. Theisz, "then it is really important to see a medical provider. Heatstroke is a serious life-threatening condition.” 

Signs of heatstroke:

  • Hot, dry skin.
  • Irritability.
  • Confusion.
  • Slurred speech or clumsy movements.
  • Elevated body temperature/fever.

What to do if you suspect a heatstroke:

  • Call 911. This is a medical emergency.
  • Cool the patient immediately. Move them into air conditioning or into a shaded area.
  • Wet or mist their skin with cool water.
  • Place ice packs around the head, armpits and groin.
  • Do not give water to someone experiencing mental status changes as symptoms of heatstroke.

For more information on staying safe in the heat dome and to make an appointment with one of our providers at EVMS Family & Community Medicine, contact us at 757.446.5955.