Heat-related illness awareness and prevention
It’s summertime and as the heat rises, so can health risks. That’s why it’s important to be aware of heat-related illness symptoms while enjoying outdoor activities. You are especially vulnerable if you have a chronic health condition or take medications that can impact your response to heat and impair your body’s ability to regulate your internal temperature properly.
Say more? Of course.
Signs of heat-related illness
Some signs and symptoms that indicate you may be suffering from a heat-related illness:
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Headache
- Rapid heartbeat
- Confusion
- Excessive sweating
Red flags that require rapid medical attention
Be especially aware of these heat-related red flags that require immediate medical attention:
- Seizures
- Very high body temperature
- Inflamed skin
- Feeling overheated but not sweating
- Elevated pulse
- Breathing unusually quickly
- Unusual fatigue
- Unusual behavior
- Fainting
Prevent heat-related illness when you’re outside and inside
Overheating indoors is as real as overheating outdoors. During the hottest days of the summer:
- Set your air conditioning at 65-78 degrees, a range that’s considered safe.
- If you have a finished basement, escape to its naturally cooler environment.
- Run an indoor misting fan that produces an ultra-fine dry mist to use along with air conditioning.
- Limit outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day, which are late morning to early evening.
Whether inside or outside:
- Stay hydrated
- Wear lightweight, breathable clothing
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine
Don’t ignore signs of heat-related illness
If you experience the above symptoms while in a high heat situation, visit an urgent care center or contact your primary care provider (PCP) immediately.
If you don’t have a PCP, now’s the time – before you’re sick – to establish yourself with one:
- Find one in your neighborhood – Visit your member portal at MyBlueKC.com, select Find Care in the left column, then enter any of the following in the search bar: PCP, family medicine, internal medicine, general practice, or a specific provider name.
- Visit a Spira Care Center** – If you’re a Blue KC member in a plan with exclusive access to Spira Care Centers, call 913-29-SPIRA (77472) to make an appointment at one of nine Spira Care Centers in the Kansas City metro area.
* When you visit an in-network doctor or facility.
** Available to Blue KC members in plans with exclusive access to Spira Care Centers. For costs and further details of the coverage, including exclusions, any reductions or limitations, and the terms under which the policy may be continued in force, see your insurance broker or contact Blue KC.
