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Temperatures in Solano County are expected to soar into the 100s over the next several days, prompting county officials to issue a health alert.

The excessive heat warning begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept, 3 and extends through 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6. Temperatures are expected to get as high as 115 degrees in some areas.

And that has NorthBay Health physicians reminding patients to be mindful – particularly patients with chronic issues such as kidney disease and diabetes.

Heat waves can be dangerous. A very high body temperature can damage the brain and other vital organs. Some health conditions can make it harder for the body to stay cool in hot weather. These include age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, poor circulation, sunburn and drug and alcohol use. 

To protect yourself and your family, NorthBay Health internal medicine physician Madhav Goyal, M.D. said the most important first step is to drink plenty of water, noting that even young, healthy individuals can experience problems in temperatures as high as 115 degrees.

“Hydration is very important for everyone but in particular for patients with kidney disease. Dehydration can adversely affect their kidneys and cause kidney failure,” said Dr. Goyal. “Drinking water is best but juices and sport drinks are OK, except for patients with diabetes. For those patients, it’s best to avoid sugary liquids.”

Dr. Goyal also suggests some other key steps to beat the heat:

• Stay indoors. “The best way to beat the heat is to stay in an air conditioned area,” said Dr. Goyal. A cool shower or bath is also a good way to cool off.
• Limit outdoor activities. Choose to be less active during the hottest part of the day, said Dr. Goyal. “If you must be outside, plan your activities for the mornings and evenings when temperatures are cooler,” he said. “And find shaded areas to rest in.”
• Wear light-weight clothing and sunscreen. “Loose clothing is good. Clothing designed to wick away moisture is also OK. When outside in the sun, a wide-brimmed hat will keep the head cool and protect you from UV rays,” Dr. Goyal said. “Wearing sunscreen with a good SPF protection is also important.”