When Summer Fun Becomes Dangerous

Summer is here and with it come sunny days hiking and working in the garden, fun at the beach, pool time, barbecues and outdoor parties. But, along with the fun comes the dangers from too much sun exposure.

Spending too much time in the sun or experiencing too many really hot days can result in serious — even life-threatening health issues, according to Dr. Kadeer Halimi, medical director of Washington Health’s Emergency Department.

“Here in the Bay Area, we aren’t used to extreme daytime heat and many homes, particularly older homes, don’t have air conditioning or cooling,” Dr. Halimi notes. “People pull down the shades to block the sun and keep the windows closed to (they think) keep out the heat, but they’re really just creating an oven where the indoor temperature gets hotter and hotter and they begin to suffer from heat exhaustion. Sometimes being in a closed house is worse regarding heat stroke than being outside.”

Dr. Halimi says the elderly and very young individuals are particularly vulnerable for overheating issues. It’s important for people to realize that you can experience heat stroke without being outside ­­-- such as when in your car, which can become an oven much more quickly with the windows closed.

“If it’s a very hot day, and you don’t have air conditioning, rather than staying at home, go to the library or local stores where there’s air conditioning,” he advises. Some cities provide cooling centers for residents.” He adds, “I spent time in Texas during my medical studies and there, people were prepared for excessive heat with air conditioning and an understanding of what to do — or not do — in the heat. That’s generally not the case here.”

Avoid Excessive Alcohol

An outdoor gathering on a hot summer day can be enjoyable, but when alcohol is added to the mix, it can be a dangerous combination. Alcohol consumption is tied to fluid loss due to increased urination and when that is combined with the increased fluid loss due to sweating, dehydration can become a serious problem. Dr. Halimi warns, “Alcohol also interferes with the body’s ability to regulate temperature and can impair judgement, making it harder to recognize the early signs of overheating. What may be a safe amount of alcohol on a mild day could become risky when temperatures hit the 90s. Your body is already under stress trying to cool itself and alcohol can push it past its limits.”

Heat Exhaustion Can Lead to Heat Stroke

Dr. Halimi recalls that more than 15 patients visited the hospital’s Emergency Department during the last heat wave, suffering from heat-related issues. “The elderly are particularly vulnerable as they may not have sufficient reserves to deal with the heat because of other health issues.”

Heat exhaustion, which includes symptoms such as heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, disorientation, and fainting, is serious on its own but if not addressed, can escalate into heat stroke—a life-threatening emergency.

If these signs are detected, begin cooling measures immediately. Stand in front of the open refrigerator or freezer door, or apply ice packs on the back of the neck, in the pit of arms, and the groin. If symptoms do not abate, medical attention may be needed.

Summer is here and the weather is getting warmer. Dr. Halimi urges community members to plan ahead. Keep plenty of ice in the refrigerator; make sure you have an adequate fan in your home; and create a plan on where to go and what to do if you begin to experience heat issues. And, he suggest checking on friends, family and neighbors — particularly those who are older and may live alone.

For those who want to remain active despite the heat, sensible planning is needed. Hiking, running, tennis, pickle ball, or other outdoor activities should be done early in the day or in the very late afternoon, when the temperatures are cooler.

Other advice includes: use sunblock continually, take breaks in the shade, drink plenty of water, and limit alcohol.

It's important to remember that there will be heat waves in the Bay Area. If heat exhaustion symptoms persist, seek medical attention. It’s better to be checked out than end up with a more serious condition.

To learn more about Washington Health’s Emergency Department and Trauma Center, visit www.WashingtonHealth.com/Trauma.