Many people in the Truckee Meadows are sweltering this week from several days of triple-digit temperatures. Reno Public Radio’s Anh Gray reports heat stroke is a health risk in the dead heat of summer.
A few scary things happen when someone suffers a heat stroke. A person’s temperature rises rapidly and then the body’s ability to sweat shuts down. This leaves the person unable to cool down and the body temperature can spike to a dangerous level of 106 degrees or higher, along with other symptoms.
Dr. Sonia Budhecha with Renown Medical Group says, “Early on it’s headache and dizziness, fatigue is a big one, and then later on muscle cramps and vomiting.”
Budhecha encourages everyone to limit time outside.
“For the elderly and children, I would say don’t’ be out in it at all," Budhecha advises. "If you absolutely have to be, if you don’t have any underlying health problems, the most important thing if you have to be out there is to keep very well hydrated.”
Heat stroke can cause brain damage and even lead to death.