Interior Health is reminding the public to stay cool during the heat wave.
If not properly prepared, health impacts can happen and start with swelling in the legs, muscle cramps, and heat rash.
Medical Health Officer, Dr. Andy Delli Pizzi says impacts could get worse if the body continues to get a lack of cooling.
“More serious impacts start to occur if we’re exposed to more heat so, we can faint, and as we start to get into more trouble, we might develop heat exhaustion.” says Delli Pizzi.
“Heat exhaustion occurs when we start to feel sick, might have a headache or feel tired, might feel nauseated or vomiting, and that’s a warning sign to cool off immediately.”
Delli Pizzi added people could develop heat stroke, which is a medical emergency, and can cause confusion, hallucinations, or seizures.
He says the best way to stay cool is by being in cooler buildings, shaded and breezy areas, wearing a damp shirt when outside, and staying hydrated.
Checking in on people twice a day, especially those who are more vulnerable to heat, is also an extremely important system to have.
Some of those most vulnerable include people over the age of 50, anyone with pre-existing health conditions, people who work outdoors, the homeless and pregnant people.
Williams Lake and Quesnel will have cooling stations available, with the previous story here.
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