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  • How to Avoid Heat Exhaustion in Hot Summer Weather
Article Category: Highlights

How to Avoid Heat Exhaustion in Hot Summer Weather

Published on August 31, 2021

Last updated 10:48 AM June 09, 2022

Person drinking water in the sun

Georgia summers are no joke when it comes to high temperatures and humidity, with 90-degree-plus days very common in our summer months. When you’re out and about — and certainly when exercising — it’s important to pay close attention to how hot weather affects your body.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can have serious health consequences, but the good news is that you can help prevent these conditions by keeping close tabs on how you’re feeling and taking a few smart steps.

Your body’s temperature regulation system

Your body works hard to maintain a healthy temperature, and it knows how to regulate your internal temperature, for instance, by making you sweat to cool your skin. Health concerns can come up, however, when weather conditions overcome your body’s internal monitoring system and your core temperature gets too high.

Keep your cool

Here are some of the things you can do to keep your core temperature in a healthy range on a hot day.

  • Drink plenty of water when you exercise outdoors. Proper hydration is key to your body’s ability to regulate its temperature.
  • Take frequent breaks in shady areas. This will also help regulate your body’s overall temperature.
  • Don’t push yourself too hard, especially on very hot days. Moderation is smart in these conditions.
  • Avoid sugary, caffeinated or alcoholic drinks when outside in hot weather. Beverages like these dehydrate the body, making temperature regulation even harder. 

Watch for warning signs

It’s important when outside in the summer heat to know your body and be aware of its limits, especially when exercising. 

Watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion like:

  • Heavy sweating with goose-bump-like skin
  • Feeling faint or dizzy
  • Experiencing muscle cramps, nausea, headache
  • Your pulse rates goes up and stays elevated

If you experience symptoms, take steps to cool yourself down.

  • Go to a cooler place, such as an air-conditioned space indoors
  • Drink water or a beverage fortified with electrolytes
  • Rest

Get medical care when you need it

Seek medical assistance if:

  • You are vomiting
  • You can’t seem to cool down, especially after an hour 
  • You feel worse, rather than better, after taking steps to get cooler
  • You have a temperature of 104°F, or higher

Expert physicians at your nearby Wellstar Urgent Care location are experienced and able to assist with conditions like heat exhaustion. Your doctor will evaluate and monitor your condition, recommending the appropriate treatment to help balance your body temperature. 

If you or a loved one cannot safely reach one of our 18 convenient locations, please call 911 for emergency assistance.

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Illustration of COVID-19 testing kit

Highlights

COVID-19 Testing at Wellstar Urgent Care Centers

As COVID-19 continues to spread, our communities are seeing a surge in cases, especially among the unvaccinated and in children not yet eligible for the vaccines.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to the virus, it is recommended you get tested so you can take action for your health and to help stop the spread.

While Wellstar is offering rapid and PCR tests at all 18 of our urgent care locations, we are experiencing increased wait times due to high demand. Find additional testing locations by visiting a local retail pharmacy, such as Walgreens or CVS, or through your local health department.

 

How do I get tested?

Due to the increase in demand for COVID-19 testing and evaluation, online appointment availability at Wellstar Urgent Care Centers may be limited. We are continuing to see patients on a walk-in basis.

What if my child needs a COVID-19 test?

While our urgent care centers will perform COVID-19 testing on children 12 and older, Wellstar recommends choosing a testing location based on your child’s medical circumstance. If your child requires a COVID-19 test and is:

  • Asymptomatic (showing no symptoms): Find a local COVID-19 testing site near you.
  • Showing mild to moderate symptoms: Contact your Wellstar pediatrician’s office directly to determine the appropriate location to receive care.
  • Experiencing severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, persistent high fever, unable to keep liquids down, lethargy, or severe gastrointestinal symptoms: Seek immediate medical care at the nearest pediatric emergency department.

For more information, visit our Pediatric Care During COVID-19 resource page.

Which tests are available?

Wellstar offers rapid and PCR tests. Both tests involve a provider inserting a swab into your nose to collect nasal secretions from the back of the nose and throat.

PCR tests look for viral genetic material in the sample. Test results are usually available within 24 hours. A lab processes the sample. Same-day results are available at the urgent care centers located at Wellstar health parks when testing is completed by noon.

Rapid COVID-19 tests detect specific protein in the sample, which may indicate a COVID-19 infection. The sample is then processed at the testing location. Results are also available at the testing location, normally in 15 to 30 minutes.

Can I still be treated at an urgent care location if my health issue is unrelated to COVID-19?

At this time, it is strongly recommended that patients with a non-COVID, non-emergency medical need use WellstarON for care, including:

  • Cold/flu
  • Cough
  • Cuts
  • Minor burns
  • Sore throat
  • Sprains

How can I prevent COVID-19?

The best defense against COVID-19 is vaccination. Everyone five and older is eligible to get vaccinated, and the shots are very effective at preventing COVID-19. Visit your local retail pharmacy to stick it to COVID and get your vaccine. 

However, our youngest community members under the age of five are especially vulnerable because they can’t get their shots yet. As schools are back in session, it is especially crucial that we step up to protect ourselves and our communities. Follow the 3Ws — wear your mask, wash your hands and watch your distance from others — and get a check-up with your Wellstar primary care provider to stay healthy. 

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