Iowa Health Pros Advise Safety in Intense Heat
TL/DR –
Health experts in Iowa are advising residents to be cautious in the summer sun, highlighting the dangers of sunburn, heatstroke, water accidents, and sports injuries. Dr. Donna O’Shea, Chief Medical Officer of Population Health for UnitedHealthcare, stresses the importance of recognising early signs of overheating and heatstroke such as headaches, nausea, and dizziness. She also mentioned the usefulness of virtual care for handling injuries and determining whether there is a need for physical medical attention, especially in rural areas where access to urgent care facilities is limited.
Staying Safe in the Summertime Sun: Advice for Iowans
With the hot summer sun shining in Iowa, health care experts are calling on residents to ensure safe practices. These include caution against sunburns, water accidents, sports injuries, and promoting bike safety. Dr. Donna O’Shea, the chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare, highlights the benefit of virtual care that’s accessible 24/7 for rapid medical assistance.
O’Shea further emphasizes the importance of recognizing danger signs when outdoors during Iowa’s typical summer heat and high humidity. Overheating and heatstroke are common issues during this season, characterized by symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and dizziness. This is particularly crucial for children who are more at risk due to their underdeveloped internal cooling systems.
Even though Iowa remains relatively safe from the deadly heat affecting over 36 million Americans, forecasters warn of a rise in temperature to the mid-90s with increased humidity in the coming week.
Virtual care proves essential in rural areas, where reaching an urgent care facility may be time-consuming. It allows for immediate medical assessment of various injuries, helping residents determine whether their conditions necessitate a visit to the emergency room. “Virtual care can assist in deciding the necessity for hospital visits for sunburns or bike injuries,” O’Shea added.
O’Shea urges parents to be vigilant around water bodies, noting that drowning is the leading cause of death for young children aged one to four in Iowa. The state health department has echoed this, confirming drowning as the prime cause of unintentional fatalities among young children in the state.
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