HEALTH NOTES

Free naloxone kits are available

Oakwood Springs and Holistix Treatment Centers will offer free naloxone kits at an event to discuss opioid overdose prevention on Friday.

The event will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at Dunlap Codding, 609 W Sheridan. It also will include a speaker about addiction recovery.

Naloxone, sometimes known by the brand name Narcan, can reverse an opioid overdose.

New allergy clinic opens

The Oklahoma Institute of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology recently opened a clinic at 3261 24 NW in Norman. The clinic treats allergic symptoms, asthma, migraines and immunoglobulin deficiency.

To book an appointment, call 928-1103. For more information, go to okallergy.com.

Health Department urges precautions

The state Health Department is urging residents to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses this summer.

Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating; weakness; cold, clammy skin; a fast, weak pulse; nausea or vomiting; fainting; muscle cramps; headache; and feeling dizzy.

Heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, which is life-threatening. Signs of heat stroke are hot, red skin; a rapid, strong pulse; headache; nausea; confusion; dizziness; and loss of consciousness. If you see these signs, call 911 and move the person to a cooler environment. If possible, use cool cloths or a bath to lower the person’s body temperature.

To avoid heat-related illnesses:

• Stay in an air-conditioned place.

• Drink two to four glasses of cool fluids every hour, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Avoid beverages with alcohol, caffeine or large amounts of sugar, which can speed dehydration.

• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing and sunscreen.

• Monitor older people, young children, people with chronic conditions and those exposed to heat.

• Never leave anyone in a vehicle, even if the windows are cracked.

• In Oklahoma, 145 people died from excessive heat from 2010 to 2017.