InTouch with Southern Kentucky August 2020 | Page 33

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Some factors that might increase
the risk of developing a heat-related
illness include sunburn, obesity,
dehydration, heart disease, poor
circulation, and alcohol use.
Older adults, children, and people
with mental illness and chronic
diseases are at the highest risk of
heat-related illnesses. However,
young and healthy people can
be affected if they participate in
strenuous physical activities during
hot and humid weather.
Railroad worker, Rodney Ford
of Somerset, said that he had
experienced heat exhaustion while
at work.
“My skin went cold, and I felt
like I was going to blackout,” Ford
said. “If you feel your abilities are
diminishing, seek shade, and drink
water immediately.”
Retired Pulaski County
Sheriff’s Deputy, Scott West,
recently witnessed a man losing
consciousness due to suspected
heat exhaustion at PC Park on a
particularly humid day.
“He was putting his boat in the
water and just fell out. He was
confused and insisted that he was
okay, but he kept vomiting when he
tried to drink any fluids,” West said.
West said that the man was helped
by several good Samaritans and
taken to Lake Cumberland Regional
Hospital.
Although heat-related illnesses
are preventable, the CDC reports
that approximately 600 people die
because of extreme heat in the
United States every year.
Their website advises that all
summertime activity, whether on
the construction site or the playing
field, must be balanced with water,
rest, shade.
Huff said, “You’ve got to keep
hydrated, take regular breaks, and
stay in shaded areas as much as
possible.”
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AUGUST 2020 In Touch with Southern Kentucky • 33