'Shock to the system': Central Texans brace for intense heat this week
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A potentially historic May heat begins on Tuesday. Most of Central Texas will be under a Heat Advisory.
It would be the first days of 100 degree temperatures this year, which usually doesn’t come around until the first week of July.
‘A shock to the system’
Medical experts said our bodies are not ready, and this sudden heat can catch both pets and people off guard.
“Certainly is a shock to the system,” said Emergency Department Medical Director for Baylor Scott & White Health, Dr. Ross Tobleman. “Most of the time we have a couple of weeks of gradual increase in temperature, so we can kind of acclimate to the increasing summer heat that we usually experience in Central Texas.”
Dr. Tobleman said it is especially important to prepare now.
“The best way to stay hydrated, actually, is not to try to hydrate the day of any activities in the sun, but to try to stay hydrated before that,” Tobleman said.
The young, the elderly and people’s pets are the most vulnerable. However, Tobleman stressed this heat can impact anyone.
“If it’s just a minor heat injury, you can come into the emergency department, get some IV fluids, cool off, and send you on your way. If it’s more severe, then you might require hospitalization for a day or even several days.”
Dr. Ross Tobleman, Baylor Scott & White
If you’ve had a heat-related injury before, Tobleman said that increases your chances of another one.
He said some of the first signs are the following:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
Tobleman said if you stop sweating or start to feel confused, that’s a sign to get emergency help right away.
‘I’m gonna roast’
The intense temperatures are especially challenging for people like dog trainer and walker Marcia Cades.
“I have a big bucket in my car with ice water, and then I just refill and we stop for water breaks all along the way,” Cades said. “Try to get everybody done before two o’clock, if possible.”
Cades said she’s even done walks in some hotels or apartment building lobbies as well, just to stay out of the heat. She’s not looking forward to this week’s heat wave.
“I’m gonna roast,” she said.
Cades recommended owners get booties to protect their dogs paws.
“The pavement is super hot, even the grass and the dirt is hot,” Cades said. “If you need to cool your dog down, soak some towels in water and lay it on their belly and their chest.”
