Triple-digit heat index continues
By Steve Herring
Published in News on June 21, 2018 5:50 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Kids play on the splash pad at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, on Tuesday, as high temperatures persist and the heat index tops 100 degrees.
Oppressive heat and humidity will continue to bake Wayne County today as residents suffer through a third consecutive day of heat index values shattering the 100-degree mark.
Today's combination of a high temperature of near 94 degrees and high humidity will make it feel more like 100 to 105 degrees.
It is a dangerous combination, and several people have been treated for heat-related issues over the past few days in the Wayne UNC Health Care emergency department.
The exact number of cases was not available, but most were males, ranging in age from 30 to 40, who were treated for dehydration.
They were easily treated with IV fluids, hospital officials said.
Meanwhile, scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop across the central part of the state this afternoon and evening as a cold front settles south into the area.
Isolated damaging thunderstorm wind gusts will be possible with the stronger storms.
The heat will take a little break Friday with a forecast high of 89 degrees before climbing back into the low-to-mid 90s on Saturday and Sunday.
Statewide approximately 126 emergency department visits for heat-related illness were observed between June 3-9, when the daily maximum heat indices ranged from 82.5 to 93.3 degrees at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
Common references in emergency department visit notes were for recreation (doing personal yard work) and working outdoors ("passed out at work"), according to state health officials.
Since the first of May, approximately 659 heat-related illnesses have been identified in emergency department visit records statewide.
Males, mostly aged 25-44, accounted for 65 percent of those visits.
Children, older individuals, outdoor workers and those with chronic health conditions are most vulnerable to the heat.
The signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke include muscle cramps, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, fainting, headaches, nausea and vomiting.
If you take medicines that can impede heat loss, speak with your physician about how to stay safe.
The medicines include high blood pressure drugs, migraine drugs, allergy drugs, muscle spasm drugs, mental illness drugs and tranquilizers.
Ask for help if you have dry, hot skin, rapid pulse and high body temperature.
Drink more water than usual and don't wait until you are thirsty to drink, but avoid alcohol and sugary drinks.
Heat-related illness is preventable with proper precautions, however, every summer there are about 3,000 heat-related illness emergency department visits, state health officials said.
To reduce risk of heat-related illness health officials recommend:
* Increase fluid intake.
* Take frequent breaks in cool or air-conditioned places if spending extended time outside.
* Reduce normal activity levels.
* Speak with your physician about how to stay safe if you take medicines that make you more vulnerable to heat, such as drugs for high blood pressure, migraines, allergies, muscle spasms, mental illness and tranquilizers.
* Check on neighbors, and if working outdoors, check on your co-workers.
* Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles, especially during warm or hot weather, as temperature levels inside a car can reach a lethal level in a matter of minutes.
* Wear light weight and loose-fitting clothing when possible.
For more information on how to prevent heat-related health issues and to learn about heat-related illness in North Carolina, visit: http://publichealth.nc.gov/chronicdiseaseandinjury/heat.htm.