Keeping it Real with Wilfreta Baugh

Q: Welcome to Keeping it Real Dr. Baugh. Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I’m a doctor of internal medicine who specializes in the treatment of adults. I’m in my 21st year in a solo practice in Germantown, and I do a lot of resident training for the OB/GYN department at Einstein Medical Center. I also have internal medicine residents from Einstein. I’m associated with the nurse practitioner programs at the University of Penn and at LaSalle University. I taught junior high school in Philadelphia before going to medical school. I graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1979. I’m the immediate past president of Jefferson Medical College Alumni Association. I’m in my 11th year as chair of a program that the Medical Society of Eastern Pennsylvania has for African American students interested in going into medicine. The Medical Society of Eastern Pennsylvania is a local affiliate of the National Medical Association, which represents about 22,000 minority physicians in the country.

Q: This week, our topic deals with staying safe while exercising outdoors in hot weather. What are the most important things that people should consider before exercising in the heat?

A: Basically, their physical shape. If they have not been used to working out, they shouldn’t start in the hot weather. For people used to [exercising], they should do it in the mornings or in the evenings when it’s cooler. It’s also very important that they stay well hydrated. And they should not [exercise] without their doctors' permission. There are people who decide they’re going to lose weight and go and fall out, and then you have a catastrophe on your hands. They’re not able to do what they think they’re able to do. They should get the OK from their physicians with some restriction on what to do and how to do it.

Q: What are some of the dos and don’ts when exercising in hot weather?

A: You shouldn’t exercise after 10 a.m. and before 5 p.m. when the weather is hot, and always wear a sunscreen.

Q: What are some of the ways people can stay safe when exercising outdoors in hot weather?

A: One, wear loose, cotton clothing; drink lots of fluids; wear a hat; and wear loose shoes. You’ll have some swelling in hot weather. So, your shoes shouldn’t be tight. They should be a little larger than you’re used to wearing to account for the normal swelling during hot weather.

Q: Should the exercise routine be altered depending on the temperature? If so, in what way?

A: I think your exercise should be less strenuous, and you should stop when you feel overwhelmed. If you feel too hot, too sweaty, too headachy, too overwhelmed, you should stop and start tanking up on fluids.

Q: Are there certain temperatures that people should not work out in under any circumstances. If so, what are they?

A: I don’t know, but if the humidity is high, people who have heart and lung diseases shouldn’t consider working out because it isn’t a safe time to do so.

Q: Should you avoid outdoor workouts in extremely hot weather if you have certain pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, high blood pressure problems, etc.? Why?

A: Absolutely, because the humidity increase the workload on the heart and it makes breathing more difficult.

Q: What, if any kinds of clothing should be avoided?

A: Dark, tight fitting clothing should be avoided because it doesn’t release heat, and it causes the body temperature to increase faster- especially when you’re exercising.

Q: How can you tell if you're experiencing difficulty while working out in hot weather? What should you do?

A: [If you have] a general feeling of unhealthiness [or] anything [feels] out of sync or you have lightheadedness, palpitations or abnormal increases in heart rate, and headaches, you should stop what you're doing immediately.When you’re exercising, you should have a cellular phone to call for help. Carry water with you.

Q: How do you stay in shape?

A: I go to the gym at least four days a week. I take a total body fitness class. I take a yoga class, and I do cardiovascular and resistance training two to three days a week.