Speaker 1: Welcome to brain Stuff, a production of iHeart Radio, Hey
Speaker 1: brain Stuff Lauren bog Obam. Here. An unprecedented and dangerous
Speaker 1: heat wave is enveloping the Pacific Northwest in the United States,
Speaker 1: with high temperatures shattering records across the region. Just for
Speaker 1: one example, in Portland, Oregon, where the high in June
Speaker 1: is typically around seventy eight degrees fahrenheit that's twenty point
Speaker 1: five degrees celsius, residents are struggling to stay cool as
Speaker 1: a city set a scorching high record of a hundred
Speaker 1: and sixteen degrees fahrenheit that's forty six point six celsius
Speaker 1: at the end of June. That temperature also broke the
Speaker 1: record for the hottest ever recorded in Canada the same week.
Speaker 1: Residents in these areas aren't used to this type of
Speaker 1: intense heat, and unlike in regions where it's more common,
Speaker 1: many don't have air conditioning in their homes, and that
Speaker 1: can make a heat wave like this deadly. The world
Speaker 1: health organizations as a exposure during these particular heat waves
Speaker 1: can cause exhaustion, confusion, or even heart attacks, and can
Speaker 1: exacerbate existing health conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases,
Speaker 1: but it's relatively easy to prevent these types of adverse
Speaker 1: health effects during a heat wave with best practices and
Speaker 1: if we just look out for ourselves and our friends, family,
Speaker 1: and neighbors. First, be sure to dress for the weather.
Speaker 1: Wear loose clothing. It doesn't really matter whether it's light
Speaker 1: or dark in color. You vy protective and moisture wiccan
Speaker 1: clothing are best if you have to work or otherwise
Speaker 1: be outside. This will help protect your skin from sunburn
Speaker 1: and help absorb sweat to keep you a little cooler.
Speaker 1: Be sure to protect your face, hands, and any other
Speaker 1: exposed skin with sunscreen, and wear a hat and sunglasses
Speaker 1: if possible. Take part in outdoor activities during the morning
Speaker 1: hours or postpone them until the evening when temperatures are cooler.
Speaker 1: Take frequent breaks in the shade. If you're working outside
Speaker 1: in the heat and the activity makes your heart pound
Speaker 1: or you're gasping for breath, and stop and get inside
Speaker 1: to cool off and rest, especially if you start to
Speaker 1: feel lightheaded, confused, or faint. Use the buddy system too.
Speaker 1: If you're working in the heat, Check in on your
Speaker 1: coworkers and make sure they check in on you. Heat
Speaker 1: related illness can make you confused or even lose consciousness
Speaker 1: and stay hydrated. A perspiration is your body's way of
Speaker 1: staying cool, but that moisture loss has to be replenished regularly.
Speaker 1: If you have to be outside during the heat wave,
Speaker 1: it's imperative to drink up even if you're not thirsty.
Speaker 1: Avoid sugary or alcoholic drinks, and these will actually make
Speaker 1: you lose more fluids. You also want to stick to
Speaker 1: drinks that aren't super cold. Iced down water can actually
Speaker 1: cause stomach cramps and extreme heat. Of course, if you're
Speaker 1: on a fluid restrictive diet or have a problem with
Speaker 1: fluid retention, talk to your doctor before drinking more than
Speaker 1: your normally prescribed amount. Ideally, during a heat wave, you
Speaker 1: want to stay indoors where there's air conditioning. If that's
Speaker 1: not possible, many cities open up cooling centers during heat
Speaker 1: waves to provide relief, especially in areas where air conditioning
Speaker 1: isn't prevalent due to COVID restrictions. You'll likely have to
Speaker 1: practice social distancing and wear masks while you're there, but
Speaker 1: you can also try to go to a public place
Speaker 1: that has a c like a library, mall, or a
Speaker 1: movie theater if they are open where you live again
Speaker 1: where a mask for safety and practice social distancing. You
Speaker 1: can also use fans, but keep in mind that when
Speaker 1: temperatures are in the nineties are higher fans won't prevent
Speaker 1: heat related illness, and taking a cool shower or bath
Speaker 1: is a good option, and stick with light, cool foods
Speaker 1: such as fruit and salads. They won't warm you up
Speaker 1: like hot heavy meals, and your home won't heat up
Speaker 1: when you prepare them. Of course, heat related illness can
Speaker 1: affect anyone, but some people are particularly at risk, including
Speaker 1: infants and young children, the elderly, people who are sick, pets,
Speaker 1: people who are overweight, people without air conditioning, and people
Speaker 1: who work outside. Check on people from these groups frequently
Speaker 1: during the heat wave, and definitely don't leave anyone pets
Speaker 1: included in a car, as temperatures can soar inside even
Speaker 1: with a window cracked heatwave or not, and keep in
Speaker 1: mind that a heat stroke is a medical emergency if
Speaker 1: you experience a body temperature of a hundred three degrees
Speaker 1: fahnheit that's thirty nine celsius or higher, hot, red, dry
Speaker 1: or damp skin, a fast, strong pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea,
Speaker 1: and confusion, or lose consciousness. The CDC says to call
Speaker 1: nine one immediately and seek medical attention. Today's episode is
Speaker 1: based on the article five tips to stay safe during
Speaker 1: a heat wave on how stuff works dot com, written
Speaker 1: by Sarah Glin. Brainstuff is production of by Heart Radio
Speaker 1: in partnership with how stuff works dot Com and is
Speaker 1: produced by Tyler clang Or. More podcasts my heart Radio,
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