UNMC expert offers health tips amid later-summer Omaha heat wave
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - “We always end up seeing heat related illness when it get to be this hot,” said Dr. Eric Ernest with UNMC explains how heat affects the body.
“Sweating excessively…realizing you’re losing a lot of fluids. If you started to feel dizzy nauseous, upset stomach. Certainly, if you’re having chest pain, shortness of breath.”
Those are all signs of heat-related illness. Children, he says, are some of the most vulnerable.
“They oftentimes don’t have the same ability to express themselves when they’re experiencing heat-related symptoms especially the really young children.”
It’s also impacts the elderly. And those who have to be outside. For example, at the bus stop. Of the 2100 Metro Transit stops across Omaha and Council Bluffs – only 107 stops are covered.
Also at risk: people who work outside or live outside.
“You can have a very prolonged recovery depending on how severe it is,” said Ernest.
Open Door Mission helped those who are experiencing homelessness. They gave out water, Gatorade and food to dozens of people. Two of them took their offer to get shelter inside.
6 News reached out to area hospitals. Five people were seen at the Nebraska Medical Center and 17 at CHI Health emergency departments for health-related illnesses.
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