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Beat by the Heat

It’s only the beginning of June and temperatures are already reaching the triple digits. Richmond’s sudden heat wave has created health concerns for some residents.

Today is the second day temperatures have reached over 100 degrees and meteorologists expect the surge to continue into the early part of next week.

Dr. Matthew Bartholomew, assistant professor of emergency medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical Center, said patients have been coming in earlier than usual complaining about heat-related injuries.

“They haven’t got used to being prepared for the hot weather, and I think it’s catching even the heartiest and the most experienced of people by surprise,” Bartholomew said.

The most common heat-related illnesses range from respiratory problems, like asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease to the more severe cases of heat stroke.
Bartholomew recommends that if people must go out, they should take the necessary precautions to keep themselves hydrated.

“If you have to go outside, make sure you take an extra water with you, (and) you’re taking it slow,” Bartholomew said. “If you have to do outdoor activities, do it in the early morning or in the late evening.”

Some people, like college student Julia Naismith,21, are committed to outdoor activities and is forced to endure the high temperatures.

Naismith plays soccer and says she’s been doing what she can to cope with the high temperatures.

“We played soccer this weekend, and thought we were being baked alive,” Naismith said. “But there’s not much you can do. We’ve been drinking a lot of water, trying to stay hydrated.”

Naismith says what’s most confusing, is how the temperature changed so quickly and drastically.

“It’s hot! It was cold in May, so I don’t understand what’s happening,” Naismith said.

While Naismith continues to enjoy the outdoors, others are doing their best to avoid it.

Destiny Duncan, a 23-year-old Graduate student at the College of William and Mary, says the past few days have been miserable for her.

“I have no air-condition in my car, so I’m suffering,” said Duncan.

Duncan commutes between work and school throughout the week. She says she tries to drive as little as possible, and stay out of the sun as much as possible.

Most people are beginning to adapt techniques to help them combat the high temperatures. Some prefer lurking in the shadows while others prefer avoiding the outdoors altogether when possible.

VCU Senior Alvon Felton, 21, uses a combination of both. Felton has developed a skin condition that is triggered by an excessive amount of sun. She says the extreme temperatures concern her.

“I usually try to wear as much coverage as I can without burning up,” Felton said.

Felton says that wearing more clothing helps her stay cool in the warm weather.

Diversity in the Media

Monday, October 27, 2008

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Beat by the Heat