| It’s officially summer in the US and temperatures are heating up fast. About 170 million people will suffer through highs in the triple digits this week. Heat indices – or how hot it feels outside – hit early records creating the first significant heat wave of the year, according to the US National Weather Service. State health departments from New York to Michigan published warnings and tips for how to stay cool for the summer and avoid heat related illnesses. Extreme heat can cause your body temperature to spike rapidly, with no way for your body to cool itself, leading to potential heatstroke or heat exhaustion. It’s one of the biggest weather-related killers and some cases result in permanent disability, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. As climate change worsens and temperatures continue to climb, heat-related deaths have doubled in recent decades, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. So how can you tell if you’re overheating? Symptoms include excessive sweating, nausea and confusion, according to the CDC. But sometimes the signs aren’t so obvious, says Selwena Brewster, chief quality officer and interim chief medical officer at NYC Health and Hospital’s South Brooklyn Health. For example, a muscle cramp while walking outside could actually be a sign of heat exhaustion. Call 911 immediately if you start noticing symptoms in yourself or someone around you. If you are assisting someone with a heat-related illness, give them a slow stream of cool water while waiting for help, says Brewster. “Heatstroke is an emergency and we have to act fast,” she says. The best way to avoid a heat-related illness is to STAY COOL – an easy mnemonic device Brewster gives her patients: - Stay hydrated by drinking 11 to 15 glasses of water a day — more than the typical recommended amount.
- Take breaks when you need to.
- Avoid strenuous activity, alcohol and caffeine.
- “Yes” to wearing light clothing.
- Cover up with sunscreen and hats.
- Open windows.
- Opt for cool showers.
- Limit your exposure to the sun with shade and stay indoors.
And if you have pets at home, make sure they’re hydrated and stay in the shade. – Jessica Nix | 
