Extreme Heat Leading to Spike in ER Visits By Young & Old

Summer in Alabama is usually hot, but this summer has seen an unusually high number of heat advisory days with ambient temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s and heat indices approaching 110°.

While we may have become used to the heat, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is warning those attending tomorrow's Alabama football season opener at Bryant-Denny Stadium and celebrating Labor Day to take heat stress seriously.

Hospitals across Alabama and the South have been reporting significant spikes in heat-related emergency room visits. That spike in visits has resulted from patients suffering from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, and complications of chronic illnesses worsened by heat.

DCH Regional Medical Center has noted an uptick in heat-related illnesses, primarily affecting outdoor workers in their 20s, 30s and 40s. According to ER physician Dr. Elwin Crawford, many of these individuals are arriving severely dehydrated, often operating under the false impression that their youth and physical fitness shield them from extreme temperatures.

Those most at risk include adults aged 65 and older, children younger than 2, People with chronic medical conditions or mental illness, outdoor workers, athletes, and pets who live outdoors

Of concern to physicians like ADPH's Dr. Wes Stubblefield are people who typically spend little time outdoors in the heat but will spend several hours tomorrow mowing grass, attending Alabama football's season opener or grilling out for the Labor Day holiday in temperatures bordering on 100° and heat indices approaching 110°.

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Awareness Is Critical

Dr. Stubblefield stresses that people must be alert to the warning signs of heat-related illness, especially during triple-digit heat index days like those currently being experienced. He warns that heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke if untreated.

"Heat stroke is a medical emergency and requires 9-1-1. Heat exhaustion does require medical attention but there are some things you can do to help," Stubblefield said in a media release. He says heat exhaustion can be identified by heavy sweating, paleness, cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, fainting, cool or moist skin, a fast, weak pulse, shallow breathing, and irritability.

If untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, which is marked by extremely high body temperature (106°F or higher), red or hot skin, a rapid, strong pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, dehydration, confusion and unconsciousness. It is a medical emergency.

Stubblefield advises people to recognize heat stress symptoms early, act quickly and take preventive steps during extreme heat.

The medical officer for the Northern and Northwestern/Northeastern districts advises people to drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol or caffeinated beverages, which worsen dehydration; stay cool and indoors during peak heat; reduce or eliminate strenuous outdoor activity; wear a wide-brimmed hat and lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing; and use sunscreen SPF 15 or higher.

Adding to heat-related concerns is the urban heat island effect in cities like Tuscaloosa, where pavement reflecting high surface temperatures adds to the heat.

The advice from Dr. Stubblefield and ADPH is simple but critical to heed: recognize symptoms early, act quickly and take preventive steps during the extreme heat.

Drought Adding to the Problem

The current Drought Monitor reveals drought conditions sliding northward, with moderate drought conditions now covering extreme southern Tuscaloosa and Bibb counties southward into Greene, Hale, Perry and Marengo counties. With the exception of Walker County, the rest of West Alabama is currently abnormally dry. That will not help with the heat.

Think of drought as a "heat multiplier": when the ground dries out, the atmosphere heats faster, stays hotter and becomes more hazardous for people.

Stay safe this long holiday weekend!