Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Oklahoma professionals offer insight, advice on heat
By Patti Jo King
Oklahoma Daily (U. Oklahoma)
07/26/2006

(U-WIRE) NORMAN, Okla. — As a heat wave continues to scorch Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma summer session students are seeking respite among the library stacks, or are chilling in front of a computer in one of the refreshingly cool campus computer labs.

Ross Dixon, a forensic meteorologist with Weather Affirmation and a member of the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority's News and Public Affairs broadcasting team, affirms that current temperatures have been well above normal for Oklahoma this time of year. He said that a combination of factors, including the unfavorable position of the jet stream to the north, have contributed to recent sweltering weather conditions.

Over the past week, the humidity factor has been excessive, as temperatures soared above 100 degrees around the area.

According to Dixon, the way we experience heat is also impacted by where we experience it. "Temperatures in metro areas are always higher," he said.

On warm summer days, air in urban areas can be two or three degrees hotter than in surrounding areas, prompting scientists to refer to some cities as "urban heat islands." A heat island effect, created by concrete surfaces, dark pavement and infrastructure which attract and absorb heat from the sun, can make a city a miserable place to spend time during seasonal heat waves. Parks, wooded areas, and areas where more vegetation, trees, and plants provide shade, intercept solar radiation and cool the air, are more comfortable in high temperatures.

Allen Poston, director of public relations at the OU Health Sciences Center's Family Medical Center, says there has been an increase in emergency room visits for treatment of heat-related illnesses in recent days. "Although no one has been admitted, people have been adversely affected," he cautions.

Norman Regional Hospital's Director of Health Promotion and Community, Paula Price, said the number of patients treated in Norman for heat-related problems this year is lower than last year, in spite of the unseasonably high temperatures. She attributes this fact to increased media alerts and public awareness raised by the local health department.

Nevertheless, both health professionals said precautions should be taken before a health problem arises. They suggested heat-sensitive individuals stay indoors in air-conditioned areas as much as possible, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and limit strenuous, outdoor activity to evenings, if at all possible.

They also advised a doctor be consulted at the first sign of illness.

"Heat exhaustion creeps up on you," Price said. "If you have the symptoms, you are already in trouble and should seek help immediately."

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include a rapid pulse, excessive sweating, muscle cramps, low blood pressure, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, confusion and headaches.

Victims of serious heat stroke may experience weakness and dizziness, confusion, blurred vision, pale, dry skin with no sweating at all, high blood pressure, rapid respiration, an irregular pulse rate and unconsciousness or seizures.

"Summon a doctor at the first indication of a problem," Poston said. "Cool down and call for help."

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