Examiner: Woman's Death Was Heat-Related
At least one death in Metro Detroit over the July 4th holiday weekend has been blamed on the heat. Waterford Police say a 56-year-old homeless woman was discovered by a landscaper in the passenger seat of a car outside the Century Bowl and Highland Road. The woman was taken to Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital where she was pronounced dead Sunday afternoon.
The medical examiner tells WWJ the woman died of hyperthermia, brought on by the extreme high temperatures. Police said no foul play was suspected in the woman's death. The woman's name has not yet been released.
With a heat advisory in effect Monday, doctors were warning Michiganders to be aware of the health dangers that come with high temps.
Dr. Glenn Clark with Beaumont Gross Pointe Hospital said they've seen an uptick this weekend in the number of patients coming in with heat-related problems.
"The vast majority, fortunately, are able to be treated in the ER and sent home," Clark said.
"We've been seeing a lot of people who are moderately dehydrated, people who have developed muscle cramps from that, and some infants who seem to not be acting appropriately, according to the parents, and they'd just be out in the heat a little bit too long," he said.
Clark said they've admitted some patients who have underlying medical problems for observation through the night.
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