Temperatures and humidity levels began to rise on Sunday, setting the stage for the hottest weather of the year so far.
A number of locations in the Chicago area saw temperatures of 90 degrees and highs approaching 100, which could rise even higher on Monday.
When temperatures climb this high, doctors generally advise people to do everything they can to prevent heat-related illnesses, but also to be aware of the signs and symptoms, in case someone those around them would fall ill.
The most serious heat-related illness, heat stroke, can cause permanent disability or death if left untreated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heat stroke occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature. If heatstroke occurs, a person’s body temperature can reach 106 degrees or higher within 15 minutes.
Here are the symptoms of heatstroke:
- Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness (coma)
- Hot, dry skin or heavy sweating
- Seizures
- Very high body temperature
If you think heatstroke is a possibility and notice symptoms, call 911 immediately.
“Heat stroke is an emergency,” Dr. Thomas Waters, an emergency physician at the Cleveland Clinic, said in a previous article. “It can become fatal very quickly. Heat stroke isn’t something you can just get over, no matter how strong you are. The most important thing you can do is pay attention to the warning signs and listen to your body.
Less dangerous than heatstroke, heat exhaustion occurs when your body can’t cool itself by sweating, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It often presents with symptoms such as muscle cramps, headache, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.
Certain factors make a person more susceptible to heat-related illnesses, such as dehydration, activity level and age. According to Waters, babies, children and the elderly are at the greatest risk of heat exhaustion and heat exhaustion.
If you suspect heat exhaustion, it is essential that you get out of the elements as quickly as possible.
You should take steps to lower your body temperature, such as rehydrating yourself, immersing yourself in a cold water bath, and applying ice packs to your neck, armpits, and groin. To have the best chance of avoiding illness, drink plenty of water, take breaks if you’re outside for a long time, and move to a cool place immediately if you notice signs of heat exhaustion, according to the article.
“Heat stroke is preventable, as long as you make the right decisions,” Waters said.
NBC Chicago
