Coming to Club World Cup? Here's how to stay cool in crowds
With Club World Cup, music festivals and other outdoor events around the corner, it's important to stay cool in crowded areas.
The Enquirer spoke with Dr. Stephen Feagins, Hamilton County Public Health's medical director, who'll be overseeing more than 20 medical staff as the venue medical officer for Cincinnati's four Club World Cup matches starting this weekend.
More: What is the FIFA Club World Cup? How does it work? Everything to know about the tourney
It's the responsibility of event organizers and health experts like him to minimize health risks for the thousands of fans who are gathering in hot outdoor spaces, but there are still things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Temperatures this weekend and next week are expected to range between 81 and 86 degrees, and large crowds and urban landscapes with lots of concrete can trap heat, driving the ambient temperature higher.
Heat illness can be dangerous, but it's treatable and reversible, said Feagins. Here are some things to keep in mind as you have fun.
If you're sweating heavily, feeling faint or weak or having trouble thinking, you might be experiencing heat illness and need to take action right away to avoid extreme effects like heat stroke.
"If you feel overheated, you need to get to air conditioning," said Feagins. "You can't treat heat illness in the heat."
Heading to an air-conditioned space and drinking water is key. If your heat illness is severe, according to Feagins, a medical team may douse you in cold water or have you take an ice bath to quickly lower your body's temperature.
When you arrive at a stadium or another large outdoor venue, knowing where you can go to cool down or seek first-aid can help in the event of an emergency.
Everyone is susceptible to heat-related illness, but certain people are at a higher risk than others.
"Individuals taking a lot of medication for various chronic illnesses won't be able to tolerate the heat as much," said Feagins.
Patients on diuretics, or medications that remove excess fluid from the body, to manage their high blood pressure or prevent heart failure, should know that their threshold for heat is lower than those aren't. Those with a higher body mass index are also more vulnerable to heat-related illness, Feagins said.
Finally, parents of infants should remember that babies' bodies are not as good at regulating temperature as adults are. "Make sure your kids are getting hydrated and into the cool when needed," said Feagins.
Make sure you're urinating regularly – and check the color. "The way you know you're getting enough fluid is that you're urinating and your urine is not concentrated," said Feagins.
Hydrate with lots of cold liquids throughout the day, especially water.
If you're enjoying an alcoholic drink or two, try to drink in moderation. Remember that alcohol can quickly dehydrate your body when temperatures are high and alternate your alcoholic drinks with bottles of water.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Going to Club World Cup? How to stay cool in crowds
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