BY JIMMY SHOCKLEY, Eastern Shore Post —
With the Eastern Shore summer sun beating down and many people enjoying the outdoors, it is important to take necessary precautions to remain healthy.
Dr. Susan Boyle, an emergency medicine physician at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital, urges those spending time outside during the Independence Day weekend and all summer long to take precautions to stay out of the emergency room.
Boyle said the most important preventative measure people out in the heat can do is ensure they stay hydrated — it may sound easy, but some forget.
Boyle said people working in the heat — construction workers, those mowing lawns, and more — should be especially cognizant of how they are feeling and should drink at least one cup of water every 20 minutes.
Boyle said sports drinks and fruit help one to stay hydrated as well, but a common misconception is alcohol being a source of hydration — it is not.
Alcohol increases dehydration and can actually make matters worse for those out in the heat, she said.
Boyle also stressed the importance of sun protection, saying sunscreen not only is crucial for skin health, but also the way the body handles heat.
“Sunburned skin doesn’t sweat like regular skin,” she said, meaning sunburned individuals are more prone to overheating.
Some individuals — including older people, those who are less active, and those with pre-existing medical conditions — are more prone to heat-related issues and should be especially aware of their bodies and the heat.
Boyle explained the symptoms of heat stroke, in which the body gets so hot it can no longer regulate its own temperature.
Boyle said the neurological symptoms, including inability to speak, see, or think, happen when the body’s core temperature rises above 104 degrees.
When this happens, she said people should call 911 so the patient can get to the hospital — as no amount of water, shade, or air conditioning will help a heat stroke victim without medical intervention.
While most people think they know the steps to take when out in the heat this summer, these few reminders could prevent hospital visits or even save lives when having fun outdoors on the Eastern Shore.
“Everyone wants to be outside. It’s the Shore and it’s beautiful,” Boyle said.
