Risk of heat stroke is real, say health professionals

July 22, 2011 12:00 am • Last Updated: July 22, 2011 3:04 pm

By By JUDY BENSON Day Staff Writer

Betty Cook sits with her daily prayer book with only an oscillating fan to cool her Westwood Park apartment in Norwich Friday, July 22, 2011. Cook says she had an air conditioner when her husband was alive for his health, but "since he left I got rid of it," she said.

Extreme heat is nothing to be nonchalant about.

When the heat wave that began earlier this week peaks today with temperatures in the mid-90s along the shore and the high 90s inland, anyone who's pooh-poohed public health warnings until now had best take heed.

"You can get very sick from the heat. You can even die from it," Dr. Steven Powell, pulmonologist on the staff of The William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, said Thursday. "The risk is increased in the elderly, because their thermo-controls are not as good and they don't recognize when they're thirsty. But we've also seen it in young people."

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning and air quality alert for the New London area today, when the "heat value index" is predicted to reach 103 degrees, and an excessive heat warning and air quality alert for the Norwich area, where the index could reach 105. The best way to endure the heat wave, Powell said, is to stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.

"Heat-related illnesses are much easier to prevent than treat," he said.

On Wednesday and Thursday, emergency medical crews based at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London received dozens of 911 calls from people having trouble breathing due to the heat and accompanying poor air quality, said Ron Kersey, emergency medical services coordinator.

Most were those with chronic respiratory problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma.

They've also responded to cases of heat exhaustion from athletes who haven't curtailed training regimens during the heat wave and have become dehydrated, and from elderly people who didn't adjust their normal activities, he said.

Treatment consists of moving patients into an air-conditioned ambulance, cooling them with ice packs and rehydrating with intravenous fluids. One of the cases over the last two days, Kersey said, was "borderline" heat stroke, the most serious heat-related condition.

"Heat stroke is very dramatic," he said. "That's truly a very, very sick person."

L&M has also placed extra paramedic crews on duty Thursday and today because of an expected increase in calls.

L&M's emergency department has treated two patients for heat exhaustion since Wednesday, spokesman Mike O'Farrell said. One or two patients suffering from dehydration have gone to the Backus emergency department in that time, spokesman Shawn Mawhiney said.

Several local senior centers have been serving as cooling centers during the heat wave and have been busier than normal this week as seniors seek refuge in the air-conditioned buildings.

"We are seeing new faces we haven't seen before," said Mary Jo Riley, director of the Groton Senior Center. Some residents of nearby towns have even been coming to the Groton center, she said, many arriving just before lunch is served and staying for several hours in the afternoon. Riley said the center will stay open beyond its normal 4 p.m. closing time today if town officials deem it necessary.

"We do have many seniors affected by the heat," she said. "Sometimes chronic illnesses or their medications make them sensitive to these extreme temperatures."

The center, she said, contacts many seniors who opt to stay at home to ask if they need anything and offer transportation to the center. Meals on Wheels volunteers are also asked to deliver their meals face-to-face rather than just dropping them off at the door, Riley said, and to ask elderly people in the home if they're OK and whether they need a fan or anything else.

Mike Wolak, director of the Rose City Senior Center in Norwich, said people have been staying at the center this week longer than they normally do. The center may stay open later than normal today, and may also be opened on Saturday if needed, said Gene Arters, Norwich's director of emergency management and homeland security.

He said he's been advising those who aren't elderly, including a homeless family, to seek refuge in air-conditioned public libraries, shopping malls and casinos. Children, he warned, can also be susceptible to extreme heat.

"Parents need to watch their children very carefully," he said. "They should restrict their activities and be sure they're well hydrated."

Town-run summer recreation programs in Norwich, Groton and other local communities are doing just that. Some are opting for movies, board games and arts-and-crafts in air-conditioned schools and other buildings over outdoor activities. Others are continuing outdoor activities, but with modifications.

"We're doing simple things, like taking extra water breaks, bringing kids into air-conditioned classrooms for break time," said Cheryl Hancin, program supervisor for Groton's summer recreation programs.

She added that notices have been given to parents listing the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Hoses and sprinklers have been purchased for water play activities, and trips to the beach planned, she said.

"We're adding water to as many activities as possible," she said.

j.benson@theday.com