To your Health: Heat Illness

PRINCE GEORGE—It was a warm weekend in Prince George and more are on the way. With temperatures rising heat-related illnesses will become more common. Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion are two of the most common and serious conditions.

“Heat exhaustion is some of those initial symptoms you feel, like being very thirsty, nauseous, vomiting, lightheaded. Those are the first signs of heat exhaustion where it’s really important to seek shade, seek a cooler area, and start making sure you’re drinking a lot of water. Heat stroke, it’s just a continuum of heat exhaustion, but heat stroke is a medical emergency. That’s where you’re starting to feel some confusion and lethargy. It’s really important that you seek health care immediately if you’re feeling those severe symptoms,” says Dr. Rakel Kling, a Medical Health Officer with Northern Health.

Detecting early signs of the conditions is key to having a better outcome.