MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital stresses importance of preventing heat-related illnesses

YAKIMA, Wash. — With summer in full swing, health care providers are urging the community to take care of themselves to reduce the likelihood of suffering a heat-related illness or injury from summer recreation.

Dr. Tanny Davenport with MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital said prevention is key when it comes to beating the heat: sunscreen, lots of water, frequent breaks, and lightweight clothes that cover as much skin as possible.

Davenport said for mild symptoms, like feeling tired, a little weak or a mild headache, people can try drinking water and retreating to the shade or an air-conditioned space, but more serious symptoms could require treatment.

"Disorientation, inability to walk straight and inability to hold on to any liquids are certainly things that should prompt medical attention," Davenport said.

Smoke, a frequent issue during wildfire season in Washington State, is aggravating for those with chronic lung conditions but can affect anyone.

"Especially with some of the summers we've had of late, we've all had the experience of having a little bit of a sore throat or just feeling like you're breathing in a campfire every day," Davenport said.

Davenport said symptoms like coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath should lessen when you get away from the smoke.

"But if symptoms don’t improve, that might be a reason to present to your primary care provider and be evaluated," Davenport said.

Davenport said doctors are also seeing an increase in COVID-19 activity and even though it's summer, the same preventative measures apply.

"If you're sick, stay home," Davenport said. "Please try to limit the spread of any sort of cold or other illness to others because even though it may be mild for you, the person next to you may have chronic diseases that make it much more serious."

Insects can also become an issue for those spending a lot of time outside. Davenport said for a regular bug bite, over-the-counter measures should be sufficient.

"But if you have a big red, hot, swollen bump, it's probably not just a bug bite anymore," Davenport said.

Davenport said that could mean the bite is infected. He said in that case, you should probably see your primary care provider or visit urgent care, but probably not head to the emergency department.

"In an ideal world, if you're having an acute medical need, most of the time it's probably not going to be an emergency," Davenport said. "You can call your primary care provider or visit one of our local urgent care facilities, which can provide excellent care, saving the emergency room for true emergencies."

MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital will be opening an additional off-campus emergency department in Union Gap in 2025.

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