Temps pose health concerns

I first started at the Bemidji (Minn.) Pioneer as an intern in the summer of 1996. That would begin six years as a news reporter, sports reporter and copy editor for a small, six-day-per-week daily newspaper in northern Minnesota. I wrote a large range of stories from multiple beats, to features to sports, my favorite being the coverage of the Red Lake Reservation High School basketball team named the Warriors. Here is a collection of my stories from my time at the Pioneer.

July 30, 1999

By Devlyn Brooks

With temperatures expected to climb into the 90s, and heat index readings reaching 100-plus, medical experts advise people to take a proactive approach to heat reaction -- especially those who will be outside today.

On Thursday, temperatures in Bemidji climbed to 93 degrees with 35-plus percent humidity, which produced heat index readings of close to 100 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

Vince Godon, a NWS meteorologist in Grand Forks, N.D., said today's conditions will be much the same. Temperatures are expected to climb to about 90 degrees and a high percentage of humidity could produce a high heat index reading.

According to Godon, the heat index indicates the combined effect of heat and air moisture on human comfort. A reading of 70 or below indicates no discomfort. A reading of 75 would indicate discomfort in half the population and all would fee uncomfortable with a reading of 79.

Readings that measure 105 and higher are considered dangerous," Godon added.

Children, the elderly and people who are ill and obese suffer the most because of the heat.

According to Dr. Edna Perez of Bemidji's Family Health Clinic, there are three main reactions to an extremely hot environment -- heatstroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps.

Heatstroke is by far the most dangerous situation, and some indications include hot, flushed skin; a high fever (at 105 degrees or higher); a lack of sweating; delirium or unconsciousness; and shock.

A physician should be contacted immediately, and the person should be cooled as rapidly as possible. Sponge them with as cold of water as possible, and if they are conscious, make them drink cold water every 15 minutes.

According to Perez, there are several methods of preventing heat reaction.

• Make sure to drink a lot of cool water whenever working or exercising in a hot environment. Water is ideal for replacing lost sweat. Special glucose-electrolyte solutions, such as Gatorade, offer no advantage over water unless you have been exercising more than an hour.

• Take five-minute water breaks in the shad every 25 minutes. Drink even though you may not be thirst.

• Do not take salt tablets; they are unnecessary.

• Dress in a single layer of light-colored, lightweight clothing. Change clothes if they become wet with perspiration.

• Exercise sessions should be shortened if the temperature is greater than 82 degrees, especially if the humidity is high.

• Limit time in hot tubs. Bodies need to release heat instead of getting hotter.

Perez said heat reaction isn't as big a problem here as it is farther south in Minnesota.

But interestingly, she said they have been treating more cases of swimmer's ear, or otitis externa, this summer than she ever can remember.

Why?

Because people are taking to water to beat the heat, and with more people spending more time in the water, the number of cases of swimmer's ear is bound to rise.

Staff Writer Denise Forsberg contributed to this report.