Is the heat making me sick? Health risks and tips as California faces dangerous temperatures

Triple-digit temperatures are baking portions of California.

The heat wave means an increased risk for illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

How can I stay safe during California’s heat wave? What symptoms should I watch out for?

Dr. Arthur Jey, emergency department physician at Sutter Medical Center for Sacramento, answered these questions and more on Tuesday morning in a question-and-answer session organized by Gary Zavoral, Sutter Health media relations program manager.

The following responses were edited for length and clarity.

What is the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke?

“With heat exhaustion, you get tired, you feel rundown and you’re sweating a lot,” Jey said. “Something feels off.”

Heat stroke looks like a stroke, he explained.

People suffering heat stroke may have blurry vision or “start sweating profusely, way more than even makes sense,” Jey said. “Towards the end of a heat stroke, they’re going to stop sweating and that’s a really big deal.”

Other symptoms include dizziness, nausea, a change in personality and significant headaches, he added.

How can I prevent heat-related illnesses?

“The biggest one is get out of the heat,” Jey said.

He also recommends dressing appropriately for the weather. Wearing a hat and loose, baggy clothes will prevent direct sun exposure.

Another way to prevent heat-related illnesses is “drink your water,” Jey said.

Who is most at risk during the heat wave?

The people who are most at risk for heat-related illnesses are the young and the elderly, Jey said, as well as chronically ill and unhoused community members.

“This is the time of year when we have to call our family (members) and make sure they’re doing okay,” he said.

With the sun being so crazy out there and amazing ... part of prevention is understanding when it’s important to come inside.”

How does alcohol play a role in heat-related illnesses?

“I’m going to sound like a classic doctor,” Jey said, “but it’s all about moderation” when it comes to alcohol use during hot weather.

“If someone is drinking too much, they may act silly or a little goofy,” he said. “The hard part is ... you don’t know if that’s the alcohol or the heat.”

He recommended taking anyone whose behavior is out of the ordinary to the emergency room “just to make sure they’re safe.”

If they’re slurring their speech, they can’t move part of their body (or) they’re complaining of massive headaches or blurry vision ... then I’d be very concerned,” Jey said.

This story was originally published July 2, 2024 at 2:47 PM with the headline "Is the heat making me sick? Health risks and tips as California faces dangerous temperatures."