The Western NSW Local Health District is urging Dubbo residents to avoid dehydration as daytime temperatures move into the 40-degree zone again.
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It is offering advice on how to stay well as “another heatwave” hits the city.
“As well as dehydration, other heat-related illnesses include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and worsening of existing medical conditions,” a health district spokeswoman said.
“If you have a medical condition such as heart disease, diabetes or kidney disease, and if you take certain medications, heat can make your symptoms worse.
“No matter what heat-related illness, the best way to prevent it is to drink plenty of water and to stay as cool as possible.”
The spokeswoman said mild-to-moderate dehydration made the heart work faster and led to reduced fluid available for sweating.
“The symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, tiredness, irritability, thirst, bright or dark yellow urine, loss of appetite and fainting,” she said.
The spokeswoman said first aid for dehydration included drinking water or diluted juice and moving into a cool place, ideally with air conditioning.
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“If possible use a spray bottle with water in it to cool yourself down,” she said.
“If you start to feel unwell, seek medical advice. In the event of an emergency, always call triple zero.”
The Bureau of Meteorology’s seven-day forecast for Dubbo as of Tuesday predicts 39 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and Thursday.
On Friday the daytime temperature will jump to 42 degrees, followed by 43 degrees on Saturday and Sunday, and 41 degrees on Monday.
Dubbo experienced a run of at least 40-degree temperatures from Sunday, January 13, to Sunday, January 20.