Jul 28, 2015 3 min read

Thirty-nine days into the season, it’s finally feeling like summer. Perhaps too much like summer.

Today’s temperature is expected to peak at 90, according to National Weather Service. While many can beat the heat by taking a dip in a local pool, outdoor workers, athletes, children and senior citizens are more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heatstrokes.

Senior centers throughout the county are doubling as “cooling centers” during regular business hours.

Dr. Kathleen Latouf, director of the emergency department at Canonsburg Hospital, said cases of heat exhaustion are lower than usual this year because of mild weather.

“Typically, as the heat index goes up, we expect to see more heat-related exposures here in the ER,” she said.

Similarly, Monongahela Valley Hospital saw a few cases of heat exhaustion and heatstroke after a local marathon this year, but not at any other time, according to Dr. Amy Talley, director of the emergency department.

Heat-related muscle cramps and aching can often be remedied by hydrating with water or sports drinks like Gatorade, and taking a cold shower or sitting in an air-conditioned room, Latouf said.

Heat exhaustion is more serious and can cause additional symptoms.

“If you start to develop symptoms and you’re starting to feel lightheaded or weak, if you have excessive sweating, you’re nauseated – those are symptoms of heat exhaustion,” Latouf said.

Latouf said the only patient she personally saw this summer for a heat-related issue was an outdoor worker who had heat exhaustion.

Heatstrokes are not common, but they can result in death or permanent disability. It causes the body temperature to rise to a dangerously high level, typically between 104 and 106 degrees. The body loses its ability to sweat and cool down.

Additional symptoms include a rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness and nausea, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be a long exposure,” Talley said of heatstrokes. “It can be a relatively short exposure, even a few minutes.”

Senior citizens are more prone to heat-related issues because their bodies do not adjust as well to sudden changes in temperature, and they are more likely to take prescription medications that affect the way their bodies regulate temperature.

Mary Lynn Spilak, Washington County’s Aging Services director, said most local people seem to have a cool place to stay during the day. She said local senior centers at one point offered extended hours for the cooling centers until 7 p.m., but it was not utilized.

“We used to have extended hours, but we did not have one person come and use the center for the extended hours,” she said.

Now, the center’s doors are open between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. if they are needed.

“Our centers are open, and we really hope that the older people come and use the center,” she said.