Chesapeake In The Know

The summer-time heat is no joke. Believe it or not, more people die from heat-related illness each year than from hurricanes. And our southeastern Virginia humidity definitely plays a role. When it’s 90 degrees out and there’s 70% humidity, it’s going to feel like 105.

Health data paints a somewhat unexpected picture about who ends ups in the emergency room most often for heat-related illness. According to the Virginia Department of Health, it’s young adults, those in the 20-39 age range, who make up the biggest share of those going to the emergency room or urgent care for heat-related illness. And of those visits, 70% of them are male. So if you think you’re tough enough for the heat, you’re probably wrong.

How do you know if you’ve had too much heat? You’re sweating heavily, turning pale, having muscle pains or spasms, and feeling dizzy or nauseous. At that point you should go into the air-conditioning or to a cooler location and take sips of a cool drink, preferably a sports drink with sugar or salt. If you get to the point where you’ve stopped sweating, your pulse is racing, and you’re dizzy or confused, call 9-1-1.