High heat index poses health risks
The heat index in Columbia hits 109. The National Weather Service warns with a heat index above 105, heat cramps or heat stroke are possible.
“Inhibiting your body’s ability to evaporate sweat, and so the ability for you body to cool itself is inhibited, and so therefore, you’re not really sweating at that point,” Angelee Geisler, family nurse practitioner for Columbia Urgent Care, said.
Health professionals said an average person can sweat 2 to 3 gallons throughout the course of the day and that liquid must replenished.
Doctors encourage drinking plenty of water, and if someone plans on being outside for an extended period of time, it is important to start hydrating the night before.
And for people who work outside, it is recommended they drink seven to ten ounce of water every 20 minutes.
Being out on a day with a high heat index can cause several health-related problems, which include heat cramps and heat exhaustion.
“You have maybe some dizziness, some nausea, headache, vomiting, muscle weakness, muscle pain. At that time we ask you take a rest, get in a cool shaded area, drink cool water. It’s preferable if you can go inside and be in the cool air,” said Geisler.
