Doctors warn of heat-related illnesses as extreme heat hits Long Island
While many Long Islanders are expected to hit the beaches and pools to try and keep cool, doctors are warning about what the extreme heat can do to our bodies.
It's summer and while it's expected to be hot, Long Island will be seeing near triple-digit heat this week.
As many Long Islanders are expected to hit the beaches and pools to try and keep cool, doctors are warning about what the extreme heat can do to our bodies.
"It puts a lot more demand on our body, metabolically speaking. So the body has to work a lot harder with the external temperatures rising up to over 100 degrees," says Jamie Ryan, the injury prevention coordinator at Stony Brook Children's Hospital.
But doctors say our bodies aren't used to this intense heat right now, especially right after winter.
"Usually during the spring, people get a chance to acclimate or get kind of adjusted to the temperature. But we've taken a really big swing here where we went from not hot to incredibly hot. So, but that alone allows the body not to have the same coping mechanisms," says David Neubert, emergency medicine physician and director of Prehospital Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau.
Doctors say to limit the time you spend outside because too much of it could result in heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
"Heat cramps and heat exhaustion, while uncomfortable, are not necessarily life-threatening. They more just require you to kind of take a break," says Neubert. "The issue with heat stroke is that it is an acute, life-threatening emergency and at that point, your body can no longer handle the heat."
Doctors say symptoms include not feeling well or feeling like you'll pass out, chest pain, shortness of breath or not feeling like yourself.
They say if you need to be outside, make sure you drink fluids, wear sunscreen and wear light, loose clothing because it can be hard to cool yourself down when you're exposed to this heat, even for a short period of time.
Doctors say if you're experiencing any symptoms of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, it's important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible.
People at the Long Beach boardwalk on Tuesday are divided on where they'll be this week.
"I enjoy the heat and I enjoy going in the ocean. We have a pool. I think we're all set for the heat. Just need to stay hydrated," says Jim Donohue, of Long Beach
"I'm going to stay home, run the air conditioner," says resident Roberta Werner.
Long Beach is also taking steps to take care of their lifeguards in the extreme heat.
Rich Borawski, chief of lifeguards for the City of Long Beach, says they are ready for both crowds this weekend and to keep everyone safe.
Lifeguards are encouraged to stay hydrated, eat and stay in the shade when they can.
Long Beach usually has three or four lifeguards per chair keeping an eye on swimmers.
