Jul. 22--OTTUMWA -- The sun may feel good to most people, but it can be a dangerous thing.
Overexposure to hot temperatures can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, dehydration and infected sunburns.
Eunice Harden said she knows the basic rules of what to do and not to do when you are outside.
"I don't typically stay out long enough to get burnt or heat stroke," she said. "If I get too hot, I get inside or in the shade or take a dip in the pool."
The Otttumwa woman was at Ottumwa Park on Monday with her boyfriend and his little girl, playing on the swings and relaxing.
Harden said she always brings water with her wherever she goes when it is this hot.
"It's nice when you're at the park on the swings, because you get a little breeze," she said. "It feels good."
Occasionally, she said, she goes for walks around her fields in the country. But, she said it only takes her about 20 minutes to get around, then she goes back inside for a break before going out again.
"Sometimes I will go out again and sometimes I will just stay inside in the air when it is extremely hot," she said.
Dr. Veronica Butler at Ottumwa Family Medical Center said people usually think of heat stroke occurring in individuals who work strenuously outside. But a lot of times it can be older or younger individuals who are just at rest, sitting in a hot environment.
Some symptoms that heat stroke may be setting in include muscle cramps and rapid heart beat.
"If you don't recognize that as a warning sign, the next sign is cold, clammy skin and profuse sweating, headaches and nausea," she said. "After that it gets real serious ..."
At that point the individual would become confused or delirious.
"By then, the skin is dry and the body can't perspire anymore," Butler said. "That is when someone needs to call 9-1-1."
She said 400 people a year die from heat stroke.
"Obesity also puts you at higher risk for heat stroke because your body is bigger and it is more difficult for it to cool itself and your heart is already under strain. It is fine for bigger people and older individuals to workout inside, but I wouldn't recommend for them to go out in the heat," Butler said.
She said dehydration is another heat-related illness that people can get from being in the sun too long.
"Normally your internal sensor will make you feel thirsty and your mouth is dry," she said. "If that happens, make sure and drink plenty of water."
However, she said, people taking fluid pills may have low-grade dehydration and may not even recognize symptoms.
"It is important that you drink extra fluids, but not caffeine or alcohol. Sports drinks are good for most people because they have electrolytes that your body loses. You should alternate that with water."
The first phase of dehydration is feeling thirsty.
"That is when you should automatically know to drink something," Butler said.
"But if people don't notice that, then they should be aware of the second signs which are mild dizziness when you stand, a quick heartbeat and decreased (and yellow) urination.
For people who are diabetic or ill, even the second stage can be detrimental.
Butler said there are also some medicines that put people at higher risk of heat-related illnesses: fluid pills, beta blockers and anti-cholinergics, most medicines that control bladder or prostate problems and heart or blood pressure medicines.
Sunburns can be a serious issue; that's why sunscreen is important.
"When you damage the skin, you lose a lot of fluids and it puts you at risk for infections. If you think you have an infected sunburn, see a doctor," Butler said.
Symptoms of an infected sunburn are cloudy drainage and increased redness in the area beyond a couple days.
The biggest risk comes from overexposure to the heat, whether it is through exercise, sun bathing or simply sitting in a hot room. Physical work and exercise outside can increase the risk.
Mike Ades of Batavia takes his granddaughter to Ottumwa Park every Monday, even when it's hot, but he makes sure he is prepared.
"We always have some beverages in the car and we don't stay too long," he said. "Maybe an hour, but we usually take a break and get a drink occasionally."
Ades said other than taking his granddaughter to the park, he is not typically in the hot sun.
"I work in the air conditioning, my car has air conditioning and I have central air at home," he said. "So, I stay out of the heat most of the time."
Ottumwa YMCA Wellness Director Becky Garetson said it's OK to be outside, but people need to take precautions.
"Typically we tell people they can stay out as long as they want, but they should drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen, wear light clothing and plan their exercise ahead of time," she said.
People should not work out or be outside for long periods during the hottest part of the day -- typically 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"If you get dizzy or lightheaded, you need to stop and go inside to cool down," she said. "People can overheat very easily when it is this hot outside," Garetson said.
"People tend to wait until they feel thirsty to drink something and that is when it is too late," she said. "You have to stay well hydrated when it is this hot and humid outside.
"Any outside activity can lead to dehydration or heat stroke, not just running or biking or those types of exercises," Garetson said.
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