PITTSBURGH \u2014 With the sweltering temperatures, Pittsburgh-area doctors anticipate seeing an uptick in heat-related illnesses over the next few days.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it comes to heat waves like this, we will see multiple patients a day that are affected by the heat,\u201d Dr. Brent Rau said. <\/p>\n
Doctor Brent Rau is the Medical Director for Allegheny General Hospital. He says medical professionals are prepared to see more patients suffering from heat-related illnesses, especially with upcoming events downtown for the 4th of July and Anthrocon.<\/p>\n
\u201cEspecially Downtown, where there\u2019s not that much air circulating between the buildings, and they walk from building to building. We see it every year where patients come in, \u2018I only walked from here to a block over\u2019 and they come in with profound heat exhaustion,\u201d Dr. Rau said. <\/p>\n
Doctors say it\u2019s difficult to say exactly how long it takes for someone to be impacted by heat because it\u2019s dependent on that person\u2019s age and overall health. <\/p>\n
\u201cExcessive tiredness, sweating profusely, can\u2019t stop sweating. Nauseous, vomiting. To the point where they feel like they\u2019re so fatigued. Muscle cramps, those are reasons that you need to get out of the situation that you\u2019re in and cool down,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The very young and very old are the most vulnerable because they have more difficulty regulating their body temperature.<\/p>\n
\u201cA small amount of time in a heavy heat like this can change things very quickly for them,\u201d Dr. Rau said. <\/p>\n
Dr. Rau says it\u2019s also important to monitor alcohol consumption in extreme heat, because intoxication can make it harder to recognize signs of overheating. <\/p>\n
The simplest and easiest way to help yourself in this kind of heat is to stay hydrated. Don\u2019t wait until you\u2019re thirsty to drink water. <\/p>\n
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