Top Warning Signs Exhibited in Severe Heat

With the Summer of 2016 being one of the hottest on record thus far, it is imperative for those enjoying the great outdoors to take precaution in the heat.

Some simple safety measures we recommend involve protection from the sun. Thirty minutes before going outside, make sure to graciously apply sunscreen of SPF 30 or better; reapply sunscreen every hour or so. If you plan on being outside for more than 15 minutes, hydrate prior to going out into the heat, and continue to do so throughout the duration of your activities.

If you experience chest pain, light-headedness, dizziness, or shortness of breath, stop what you are doing immediately; go inside and rehydrate. Regardless of whether or not the symptoms subside, immediately contact your primary care physician to schedule an appointment to evaluate the severity, frequency, and specifics of your symptoms, as said symptoms could be a sign of a detrimental heart condition or something significantly more dangerous.

The good news, however, is that these symptoms and potential ailments are treatable! Don’t brush off your light-headedness and dizziness as results of the heat and simply drink a sports beverage in hopes of alleviating the symptoms; heat and high humidity only exacerbate these symptoms, symptoms of a potentially undiagnosed and dangerous condition.

Contact Colorado Primary Health Care today for more information.