Advocate Good Shepherd doctor on 'Summertime Woes: The Heat'

July is right around the corner and as the temperature continues to rise so do the risks associated with heat exposure, according to Dr. Rodrigo Bastidas, who practices family medicine at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are two heat-related illnesses that will threaten the body's ability to function correctly without proper intervention.

Many people spend the summertime outdoors swimming, exercising or just enjoying the weather while ignoring the risks of heat, and the signs of heat exhaustion. These signs include: dizziness, headaches, nausea, profuse sweating, cramps, pale skin, weakness and fainting. Heat exhaustion is an outcome of water and salt loss in the body due to excessive sweating causing dehydration.

There is a higher risk of dehydration in children, due to their smaller body weights, and older adults, who have a harder time responding to temperature change. Re-establish electrolytes and stay hydrated by drinking eight to ten glasses of water a day.

If you or anyone you know experience symptoms of heat exhaustion apply first aid, and get out of the sun immediately in a cool setting, preferably indoors. Remove tight, unnecessary clothing, and apply a damp rag to the skin.

Be sure to stay out of the sun, and monitor your heat exhaustion don't let it progress to heat stroke, the most dangerous form of heat-illness.

Heat stroke can severely damage areas of the brain, internal organs and is ultimately life-threatening if left untreated. If you experience a throbbing headache, nausea, hot, dry skin, disorientation, seizures, or unconsciousness, have someone call 911 immediately.

To prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke, the American Red Cross recommends taking frequent breaks during outdoor activity and drinking water every 15-20 minutes, even if you don't feel thirsty. If the heat index is high, plan an indoor activity.

Planning your schedule around the heat, keeping cool and staying hydrated will allow you to continue to enjoy the sun and avoid the woes of heat exposure.

Rodrigo Bastidas, M.D. practices Family Medicine at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital and is a member of Advocate Physician Partners. He attended medical school at Universidad Central Del Este, Dominican Republic and his residency at St Mary of the Nazareth, Chicago. Dr. Bastidas has a practice in Barrington and can be reached at (847) 842-7540