Experts anticipate rise in heat-related sickness amid rising temperatures

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — As heat spreads across northeastern Pennsylvania, emergency rooms are expecting to see more heat-related sicknesses.

Emergency professionals say this sort of heat wave affects people differently.

With very hot conditions hitting our area, experts say as temperatures rise, so do the dangers of the heat.

“Heat illness is a spectrum of a disease, ranging anywhere from ‘I’m tired,’ ‘I have a mild headache,’ ‘I feel kind of hot,’ ranging the whole way to unconsciousness and death,” said Jon Rittenberger with the Guthrie Clinic.

Everyone is at risk, but those who work in the emergency room typically see two groups of people that are more susceptible to heat sickness.

“The very young and the very old. They are at particular risk and so those are folks we really want to keep our eye on, then make sure they are cared for,” Rittenberger explained.

Another group susceptible to heat sickness? Those with prior medical issues like breathing and heart disorders.

“If they’re exerting themselves to what they normally exert themselves to at 60 degrees, their body’s not feeling that level of stress. It’s feeling a considerably higher level of stress. That can tax the heart,” Rittenberger continued.

Some symptoms can be lessened with medication but if it’s hot enough, even medication won’t help. If that happens, then the ER is the only solution.

“When you shunt blood to your skin and you get all red, that allows you to dump heat. There are medications that prevent you from doing that. He or she could easily be overwhelmed in a couple of hours by a large heat wave, and maybe that’s not even at exertion,” Rittenberger stated.

Medical professionals say the biggest mistake most make is forgetting to stay hydrated.

“When you are thirsty, that’s your body telling you that you’re starting to get behind. That’s how humans shed that heat very rapidly is via sweating,” Rittenberger said.

Professionals say the best thing to do in extreme heat is to stay in a climate-controlled space if possible.

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