Extreme heat warning in effect: What to know

JACKSON, Tenn. — With the heat becoming increasingly difficult to manage this summer, we take a look at what you can expect when you’re heading outdoors.

An extreme heat warning in effect for much of the region. The National Weather Service in Memphis shared that the heat index value is up to 107 degrees in portions of east Arkansas, north Mississippi, southeast Missouri, and West Tennessee until 9 p.m. Friday.

If you’re going to be participating in any outside activities, you’re going to want to stay hydrated as much as possible.

“Stay safe by drinking plenty of water. Lets check on our elderly. A lot of times they may kind of suffer through or endure a lot of the heat in their homes,” said Dr. Mechelle Taylor-Moragne, owner of Taylor Medical Center PLLC.

If you’re taking part in summer activities, you will feel the impacts from hot temperatures and high humidity that may cause heat illnesses. Here are the symptoms to look out for.

“You may feel dizzy, you may start sweating profusely, you may feel nauseated. Those are some of the heat exhaustion type symptoms. What you don’t want to happen is if, for prolonged periods of time outside, you are starting to notice that you’re having headaches and vomiting. You’re now escalating to a heat stroke and that’s an emergency,” said Dr. Taylor.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, staying cool in an air-conditioned area, staying hydrated with water, and avoiding sugary beverages.

Dr. Taylor reminds us to keep your health in check with annual check up.

“Make sure that your blood pressure is fine. Make sure that if you have any chronic conditions, like diabetes or cholesterol, that those things are fine. What we want know is your numbers and know that those numbers are well controlled,” said Dr. Taylor.

For a safer outdoor work environment, follow guidance by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) by scheduling regular rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned places.

Warm season weather conditions become hazardous when the associated heat is considered to be “excessive” relative to the human body’s normal temperature of 98.6 degrees. This occurs when heat indexes reach or exceed 99 degrees.

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