Are you having heat stroke? How to tell as Triangle counties face ‘extreme’ risk
Temperatures in the Triangle climbed to 101 degrees this week and are forecast to feel even hotter through the weekend, prompting heat advisories across the region. Knowing the signs of heat stroke could save a life when the heat index pushes past 100 degrees.
Here are key takeaways:
- The Triangle is under a heat advisory Friday, June 12, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the heat index potentially reaching 109 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The heat wave will continue through the weekend.
- Parts of Wake, Durham and Granville counties face an “extreme” heat risk Friday and Saturday, a jump from the “major” level three risk that started Thursday, meteorologists said during a weekly briefing.
- Heat stroke typically occurs when temperatures climb above 104 degrees and the body can no longer cool itself, leading to confusion, fainting, seizures or very high body temperature, UNC Rex emergency physician Dr. Ryan Lamb previously told The News & Observer.
- “Altered mental state is the key feature here. If someone is having a heat-related illness and they are confused, it is a dire emergency,” Lamb said, calling heat stroke a “911, lights and sirens” emergency that can lead to multi-organ failure.
- Ice water immersion is the most effective pre-hospital cooling method, while painkillers like NSAIDs and acetaminophen should be avoided because they may worsen organ failure, Lamb advised.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska
The News & Observer