09/06/2024
Extreme Heat in Southern California
It’s September in Southern California when we expect our “local’s summer” with a perfect trifecta of beautiful weather, warm ocean water, and minimal crowds. But, as you likely have already felt, this weekend will bring the hottest weather of the year with temperatures reaching 100-115 degrees F in much of Orange County, Los Angeles, and the San Fernando Valley.
What does this mean for your health? Let’s talk about it.
Here are 4 things you need to know about preparing for extreme heat. This advice is particularly important for seniors, anyone with heart, lung, or kidney disease, pregnant women, and children. But really applies to everyone.
Stay ahead of thirst.
Growing up in school you were probably taught to drink 8 glasses of water per day – which it turns out isn’t based on much science at all. Along those lines, there’s not a specific number of glasses or bottles or travel mugs of water we can tell you to drink to keep safe.
But you certainly must stay ahead of thirst. If you are feeling thirsty, you’re already well behind your hydration needs. This summer I spoke to the Washington Post about protecting pregnancies from the dangers of extreme heat – which are now known to include preterm delivery and low birthweight babies. Drinking water ahead of symptoms is a major part of that. Be proactive.
Watch out for sneaky symptoms like headache, nausea, and fatigue.
This is especially true for pregnant women who probably experience these symptoms daily even without the heat. The CDC has an excellent guide for detecting signs of heat fatigue before it becomes heat stroke – which can happen quickly. These include excessive thirst, profuse sweating, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and muscle cramps.
If you’re experiencing these – even if you think everything is fine – don’t delay in doing something to address them: get out of the sun, find some way to cool off, and as above start drinking plenty of water. Yes, electrolytes help.
Blast the air conditioning.
Now is the time. If you want to use your AC to its greatest health advantage it’s during extreme heat and especially during heat waves. A recent study found that heat waves of 4 consecutive days created a particular risk for preterm birth. What’s more, AC can protect against hospital admission. A study of California residents showed that using any type of AC reduced heat-related hospitalizations for people with heart, lung, and kidney disease by up to 50%.
Now what if you don’t have air conditioning at home? Or can’t afford to use it? Completely understandable, and not a problem. The reality is that any type of cooling can help during times of extreme heat – including opening windows for ventilation, running fans, and using cold compresses like towels or ice packs. During the day you can also seek out places that act like cooling centers, such as museums, malls, and libraries. And don’t forget about evening cooling to vent the accumulated heat of the day – which might be even more important.
Use the apps.
Sure you know it’s going to be hot. But exactly when? And where? Will it be hotter at my home or at my family or friends place? Will it even cool off at night? What about humidity and barometric pressure that influence what heat actually feels like?
All of these are answered with the OSHA Heat Index App that gives you real-time geolocated heat information along with local health advisories. Free to download and well worth it.
For any immediate health needs PDQ Urgent Care & More in Yorba Linda is open 7 days per week including Saturday and Sunday 9a to 5p.
Stay cool, be well, so you can enjoy your eventual local’s summer.
Nate DeNicola MD
CMO, Caduceus
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