110 In The Shade...

 

By EDUARDO PAZ-MARTINEZ

McALLEN, Texas | It's been 10 days since we hit the hundred-degree mark, and it's here for another 10 days, if not longer, say the folks whose job it is to predict the weather. Here, in the Upper Valley, weathermen are telling residents they show 105 degrees for this afternoon, with temperature readings (not the much higher feels-like temperatures) hitting 106 degrees by next Monday, 107 degrees by Tuesday and 105 by Wednesday.

Drink your water.

We all know that high heat is dangerous not only to children left in vehicles but to everybody doing any sort of work outdoors. Heat stroke is the killer, but there are a few lesser dangers to the body.

The repeated mantras of drink water, stay cool and listen to your body are intended to cut down on the number of people who experience a heat illness, which can sometimes be fatal. Heat-related illnesses have three phases: heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Heat cramps are the first stage and are generally regular cramps felt in the stomach, muscles or chest. If someone is feeling those serious symptoms coming on, they're advised to take a break in the shade and drink water.

Heat exhaustion is the next phase and includes profuse sweating, dizziness, weakness, pale or clammy skin, a fast weak pulse and nausea or vomiting. Again, anyone experiencing these symptoms should take a break in the shade or air-conditioned place and drink plenty of water.

The final stage is a heat stroke, which can be detected if someone stops sweating. The symptoms include severe vomiting, confusion or an altered mental state, raised body temperature and possible unconsciousness. All of these may require a call to 911 for emergency medical service & treatment.

It's summer in Texas, we know. And that annual summer scorch seems to have arrived a tad early this year. Normally, it has been July and August when temperatures around here skyrocket. We still have a week left in broiling June.

Stay hydrated.

The natural sauna just got here...and it plans on hanging around for a few more months...

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