Video: Times Square Obama Afghanistan Protest Arrests
New Photo Brings Flying Overweight Debate Back
AA's "Fat Flier" Got Whole Row
State Sen. Savino Gets Noticed For Impassioned Gay Marriage Speech
Teen Gets Two Years For Killing Kitten
Even blogging has become unbearable in this weather thanks to the insane (and baffling) amount of heat coming out of our new goddamn laptop. In addition to some less often encountered consequences of scalding temperatures, Gothamist wants you, the reader, to stay cool during these tepid times and avoid more common ailments. The New York Times reported yesterday that 48 of our United States reported temperatures above 90 degrees. We also learned that Death Valley, California reached an almost made-up sounding 126 degrees while a car with its windows rolled up could hit 150 degrees inside. On WNYC, NYU Professor Eric Klinenberg, who wrote Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago (about the 1995 Chicago heat wave that killed 700 people), said that it takes 2-3 days of 90 degree weather to cause deaths. Though it hasn’t gotten quite that hot here yet, real health problems lurk with our own heat index hovering around 100, with dehydration being the main culprit in all:
- Heat syncope: Simply passing out because your blood vessels dilate to help release body heat, taking precious, precious blood away from your brain. This hottie needs rest and fluids – plain water will do nicely.
- Heat cramps: Dehydration and loss of electrolytes can cause painful muscle spasms, especially after exercise. This hot mama needs fluid with electrolytes in it (i.e. Gatorade), as plain water won’t replace the salt lost in her sweat.
- Heat exhaustion: This guy will have a fever, fast heart rate, and moist skin. He may even act a little kooky and needs to get to a dry, cool place where he’ll get hydration, salt, and ice packs. In other words, this dude needs an emergency room.
- Heat stroke: This is the mother of being overheated. This will actually kill a person by causing severe damage to their brain, heart, liver, or kidneys. They person will be totally out of it, with a very high fever, and (this is key) will not be able to sweat. Very young, very old, and people on certain medications are at risk for this catastrophic event. Again, get thee to the ER.
- If possible, stay out of the sun. When in the sun, wear sunscreen (at least SPF 15) and a hat to protect your face and head. Dress in lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
- Drink fluids - particularly water - even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool. Avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.
- Avoid strenuous activity, especially during the sun's peak hours - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Cool down with repeated cool baths or showers.
- Never leave children, seniors, or pets in a parked car during periods of intense summer heat.
- Make a special effort to check on neighbors, especially seniors and those with special needs.
- Report open fire hydrants by calling 311.
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
Gothamist wrote:
"Gothamist wants you, the reader, to stay cool during these tepid times and avoid more common ailments"
'Tepid'? I know you were thinking 'torid.'
Well, at least you gave Kapil the benefit of the doubt. Lord knows I've trusted my brain's thesaurus as opposed to the real thing at times.
According to engadget, there's a little piece of plastic over your Mac's ventilator. Check it out; hope it helps:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/25/macbooks-packin-heat-due-to-covered-up-vent/2
Whoops, scratch that... they said it didn't work. Oh well, guess you should have waited for the next version. Never buy a first round MAC! (Love them, though.)
I think heat exhaustion is no cause for a trip to the emergency room if you're relatively to begin with. I grew up cycling and playing tennis in Tucson AZ, and had three bouts of heat exhaustion as a teen. In addition to the symptoms above, you will probably get dizzy and nauseous. Just hydrate, cool yourself off pronto, and lie down. And don't be shy -- take the hose, the cup of water, whatever, and douse yourself as soon as you can, clothes be damned!
126 isn't "almost made-up sounding". I lived in desert california (in an area cooler than death valley) and it would pass 120 at least a handful of days every summer. but at least it would cool down at night and humidty is not there at all.
The egg+macbook article you link to is a fake. The author says "JUST IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED, THIS IS A JOKE." I love Gothamist but I really wish you would take a minute to pay attention to something like this; I think your link really gives the wrong impression about the macbook.
I'm sure he knew it was a joke. Gothamist's a blog, not CNN. And the new Macbooks do get seriously hot.
It was reported on this site yesterday that during extreme heat, in order to stay cool, you shouldn't eat protein. Anyone know why not? I'm curious.