Sun, 31 May 2009 22:16:00
 |
| Article by:
Christina Foushee, RN, MS, Ph.D.c
|
|
|
 Photo by Jonathan Rivera |
|
|
|
Global climate change is expected to shape California in a number of ways including that of more frequent and severe heat waves.
The July 2006 heat wave was the hottest on record with unusually high temperatures extending for 16 days. During this particular heat wave, daytime temperatures reached more than 100 degrees with record nighttime highs. Additionally, there was no relief at night. This can be especially dangerous for the elderly or those who are already ill because there is no opportunity for the body to recuperate or rehydrate between hot days.
About one million people were without electricity during the 2006 heat wave, and about 16,000 excess emergency room visits, about 1,000 excess hospitalizations and 400 deaths were documented due to heat-related illnesses.
Recognizing signs of heat-related illness in our city and neighborhoods is important despite being a more temperate location than the inner, hotter regions of the state. Two reasons are the lack of air conditioning in most buildings and because San Francisco residents are likely not physiologically adapted to such extreme temperature shifts.
Heat-related illness can begin relatively mildly with abdominal or leg cramps and may be resolved with rest and rehydration. A more serious condition, heat stress, can cause paleness, nausea, vomiting, profuse sweating and exhaustion. At the most severe and emergent end of the spectrum is heat stroke, which necessitates immediate medical care. With heat stroke, the skin will appear warm and flushed but will not sweat; the person may be confused, unconscious or even have seizures.
There are a number of ways to prevent heat-related illness. These include staying hydrated, wearing light clothing and sunscreen, keeping exertion levels low, moving to lower levels of buildings, visiting air conditioned stores or public spaces with air conditioning, closing windows and blinds during the day and opening them at night, and turning off lights during the day. Another important way to prevent heat-related illness is by knowing your neighbors.
The elderly, young and those with previously existing health conditions are at greatest risk of heat-related illness. During a heat wave, check on your friends and family and have someone do the same for you. If you know someone who is elderly or has a health condition, check on her or her twice a day during a heat wave. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
There are a number of ways to be prepared and to be on alert for friends and neighbors this summer. As heat waves are expected to increasingly impact our city and state, knowing how to recognize heat-related illness and acting quickly to address it are skills worth having for both yourself and for your community. For more information about heat-related illness and what you can do to prevent it, visit bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov.
Christina Foushee is an RN, MS, PhD(c) Environmental Health Policy Analyst at San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, SF Department of Public Health. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Health Policy and a Master’s degree in Health Policy, both from University of California, San Francisco, and a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Eastern Kentucky University.
|
