Silver Cross Nurse Practitioner: Hydration, Moderation are Best to Beat the Heat
Summer is filled with outdoor festivals, backyard barbecues and parties, all great opportunities for soaking up some Vitamin D.
But you should also be soaking up a good amount of water too, advises nurse practitioner Emily Michel on staff at the newly opened Silver Cross Urgent Care Center in Crest Hill.
“Dehydration is the Number One concern when you’re out in the heat,” she said. “Not drinking enough water can lead to heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.”
With the former, a person may feel dizzy and nauseous, and sweat excessively. Michel said they need to get to a cool place out of the sun as soon as possible, or even take a cool – not cold – shower to bring their body temperature down.
Heat stroke is much more severe, she said. The person can become disoriented or even pass out. They would have a rapid pulse and not be able to sweat.
“Someone needs to call 911 and get them to an emergency room right away,” Michel said. “They could go into a coma or even die without immediate emergency care.”
Michel also cautions about consuming alcohol drinks in the heat, which can dehydrate someone even more.
“Also, if you have too many, you may not be able to recognize you have symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke,” she said.
Drink alcohol in moderation during high-heat days, Michel said, and make sure you drink a lot of water in between drinks as well.
Sunburn also is a concern during the more intense summer months, especially for those who are fair-skinned, Michel said.
“Also, check with your provider about medications you are taking that may increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Wear a hat and sunscreen of at least SPF 30, or a cool, cotton, long-sleeved shirt, especially during the more intense hours, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Check the UV index on your phone’s weather app to see if you need to limit your time in the sun.”
If you do end up with sunburn, Michel said apply aloe and take over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol or ibuprofen to ease the pain. Blistering can mean a deeper burn, she added, and would require medical attention.
New Crest Hill Urgent Care Open 7 Days a Week
Silver Cross Hospital’s new Urgent Care Center in Crest Hill is located in Crestlake Commons, 16127 S. Weber Road and is open seven days a week. In addition to five spacious exam rooms and a procedure room, the center offers X-ray services.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and the phone number is 815-300-SICK (7425).
Walk-ins are welcome, or you can schedule your visit online at silvercross.org/urgentcare and choose Crest Hill or one of the hospital’s two other urgent care centers in New Lenox and Mokena.
