SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - As Western Massachusetts endures its second heat wave of the year and the first of the summer, a primary care doctor from Redwood Pediatrics in East Longmeadow is urging residents to separate fact from fiction when it comes to staying cool and hydrated.

Dr. John Kelley, a pediatrician and primary care doctor at Redwood Pediatrics, said water is the single most important factor in staying healthy during extreme heat.

“You have to be drinking water, water, water, water, water, water,” Kelley said.

He said one reliable indicator of hydration is urine color.

“If you’re outside in the hot weather and your urine is dark yellow, then you’re not drinking enough. It should be a light yellow to clear. Your kidneys are very sensitive to hydration,” Kelley said.

With heat stroke and heat exhaustion among the primary concerns during a heat wave, Dr. Kelley addressed several common assumptions about staying cool.

Beer: Despite the appeal of a cold drink, Dr. Kelley said alcohol works against hydration.

“It actually can be dehydrating because it makes you urinate much more because it’s a diuretic,” Kelley said.

Ice cream: Dr. Kelley said ice cream can provide some relief but should not be relied upon for hydration.

“There’s not a lot of water content in that. I’m not going to say no and not eat ice cream on a hot day. That’s one of the times when it’s most enjoyable. But, that in itself you can’t depend upon that,” Kelley said.

Swimming: Dr. Kelley said swimming is an effective way to cool down, but sun exposure and continued water intake remain concerns.

“Swimming is a great way to stay cool. The thing you worry about there is the sun exposure and also continuing to drink (water) while you’re enjoying the pool,” Kelley said.

Dr. Kelley said fans can also play a meaningful role in lowering body temperature.

“Fans actually help cool your body. If you’re hot and you’re sweating and you’re well hydrated, and therefore you’re sweating, the fan makes you feel better and actually decreases your body temperature,” Kelley said.

Dr. Kelley is also advising parents to monitor their children closely as the heat continues. He said sunscreen should be reapplied whether or not people are swimming.

The extreme heat is expected to persist through the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

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