Prompt for a Heat Stroke

Welcome to Celebrate Creativity - This is Episode 413 - AI for a Heat Stroke

Now I know that up til now - I have basically been giving you fanciful examples of what might go into a prompt for some imaginary purposes - Edgar Poe applying for a job at a pet rental company or Edgar Poe 6th and Emily Dickinson 6th writing a book - that was DEFINITELY role playing with imaginary characters - I don’t know of any reliable source that said Poe had any children - not so sure about Emily Dickinson, but I doubt it - guess I need to check with Gemini. 

Anyway, today I would like to deal with an all too real story that illustrates the use of a prompt in a real-life, health situation - no imaginary characters.
I am accustomed to being outside - used to be a Marathon runner, but yesterday I was walking the distance from the local McDonald’s. (about a half a mile) to my apartment. When I got home, I was covered with sweat and was having what appears to be a heat stroke. I was not experienced at all with this kind of thing, and my other half suggested that I simply ask my AI about the situation.  It might be a good idea before and if I go to a doctor to find out any immediate suggestions. 

Note the prompt that I gave Gemini. I admit that it is a bit wordy, but I wanted to give all the details because like any prompt the more information you give it, the better answer it can give you.  And I apologize, if the prompt seems a bit crude, but I wanted to show the importance of being honest with an AI if you expect an appropriate answer.  Besides this is a medical situation.

So I started with:

Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.

Transcript

Welcome to Celebrate Creativity - This is Episode 413 - AI for a Heat Stroke

Now I know that up til now - I have basically been giving you fanciful examples of what might go into a prompt for some imaginary purposes - Edgar Poe applying for a job at a pet rental company or Edgar Poe 6th and Emily Dickinson 6th writing a book - that was DEFINITELY role playing with imaginary characters - I don’t know of any reliable source that said Poe had any children - not so sure about Emily Dickinson, but I doubt it - guess I need to check with Gemini. 

Anyway, today I would like to deal with an all too real story that illustrates the use of a prompt in a real-life, health situation - no imaginary characters.
I am accustomed to being outside - used to be a Marathon runner, but yesterday I was walking the distance from the local McDonald’s. (about a half a mile) to my apartment. When I got home, I was covered with sweat and was having what appears to be a heat stroke. I was not experienced at all with this kind of thing, and my other half suggested that I simply ask my AI about the situation.  It might be a good idea before and if I go to a doctor to find out any immediate suggestions. 

Note the prompt that I gave Gemini. I admit that it is a bit wordy, but I wanted to give all the details because like any prompt the more information you give it, the better answer it can give you.  And I apologize, if the prompt seems a bit crude, but I wanted to show the importance of being honest with an AI if you expect an appropriate answer.  Besides this is a medical situation.

So I started with:

Let me try and give you the whole story. Yesterday morning, I had to go with my other half to the dentist - it was for his appointment. This was 6 o'clock in the morning, very early for me. I ate some frozen peas and carrots from a bag topped with some cheese, and Half a frozen Hershey chocolate bar with almonds. (OK, not the most nutritious of breakfasts, but I was in a hurry.)  Oh yes, this uses some potty language that might not be normally appropriate, but I didn't feel too inhibited because after all I was talking to a machine.

After the appointment, I walked about a mile to the nearby McDonald's for a hash brown and sausage biscuit. I live in Indianapolis, Indiana and it is very, very hot here. By the time I got back to our apartment, I was covered with sweat - normal for Summer in Indianapolis, which can be surprisingly warm. Did not feel like eating, and was defecating a great deal. Since that time I have defecated what seems like every few minutes. I am somewhat used to urinating commonly because I had prostate surgery a few months ago. But today I have not felt like eating, although I did take my medicine last night yesterday for epilepsy. BTW, I have not had a seizure for several years so the medicine seems to be working!  Earlier I was defecating every few minutes, apparently tonight not anywhere as much. The remains on the toilet paper from where I wipe are now bloody, but then I attribute that to the fact that I have wiped so much. To be on the safe side, I have not eaten anything since breakfast this morning and certainly feel the effects.  I am very hungry, but do feel a bit better.

The AI answered

I understand you've had a very challenging 24 hours. It's good that you're paying attention to your body and reaching out for information.

Based on the symptoms you've described, particularly the frequent defecation, not feeling like eating, extreme thirst, and now bloody discharge on the toilet paper, combined with walking in very hot weather and being 74 years old, there are several concerns that suggest you should seek medical attention promptly.

Here's a breakdown of why, and what common issues might be contributing to your symptoms:

Primary Concerns and Why You Should See a Doctor:

Dehydration:

Symptoms you're experiencing: "Covered with sweat," "defecating a great deal," "not felt like eating," "very hungry but do feel a bit better" (this could be a temporary feeling, but persistent thirst/dry mouth are key).

Why it's a concern: Losing a lot of fluids through sweating and frequent diarrhea, especially in hot weather and at your age, puts you at high risk for dehydration. Older adults have a lower body water volume and reduced thirst sensation, making them more vulnerable. Dehydration can lead to serious complications like heat exhaustion, kidney problems, and dizziness/confusion.

Bloody Stool/Rectal Bleeding:

Your symptom: "The remains on the toilet paper from where I wipe are now bloody."

Why it's a concern: While excessive wiping can cause irritation and minor bleeding (like anal fissures or hemorrhoids), any new or persistent blood in your stool or on the toilet paper should be evaluated by a doctor to rule out more serious causes. Diarrhea itself can irritate the rectum and cause some bleeding, but it's crucial to get it checked.

When to seek medical attention for bloody diarrhea: Most sources advise seeing a doctor if you have bloody stools, especially if it's accompanied by severe abdominal pain, a high fever, or signs of dehydration that don't improve.

Diarrhea:

Your symptom: "Defecating a great deal," "defecating every few minutes."

Why it's a concern: Prolonged or severe diarrhea can be a sign of various issues, including food poisoning, a viral or bacterial infection, or other gastrointestinal disturbances. Given your unusual breakfast and the rapid onset, food poisoning is a possibility, but only a doctor can diagnose this.

Food poisoning symptoms: Often include diarrhea, stomach pain/cramps, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes fever. Your breakfast items (frozen peas/carrots, cheese, chocolate bar) could potentially carry bacteria if not handled or stored correctly, though it's less common for these specific items unless there was cross-contamination or a temperature issue.

Heat Exhaustion (possible contributing factor):

Symptoms you're experiencing: "Covered with sweat," walking a mile in "very, very hot" weather, "Did not feel like eating."

Why it's a concern: Heat exhaustion occurs when your body loses too much water and salt through sweat, especially during physical activity in hot, humid conditions. Symptoms can include heavy sweating, fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, and a rapid pulse. While you're not reporting all these, the severe sweating and subsequent feeling unwell are consistent with heat stress.

What You Should Do NOW:

Contact a medical professional immediately. Given the bloody discharge and persistent diarrhea, it's really important to get evaluated. You can:

Call your primary care physician's office.

If they are closed or you can't get an immediate appointment, go to an urgent care center.

If you experience any more severe symptoms like extreme dizziness, confusion, severe abdominal pain, significant increase in bleeding, or inability to keep fluids down, go to the emergency room.

Focus on rehydration:

Slowly sip small amounts of clear fluids. Water is good, but even better are fluids with electrolytes like:

Oral rehydration solutions (like Pedialyte)

Sports drinks (diluted if too sugary)

Clear broths

Diluted fruit juice (avoiding very acidic ones)

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and very sugary drinks as they can worsen dehydration or diarrhea.

Rest: Avoid any strenuous activity. Stay in a cool environment.

Do not take anti-diarrhea medication without consulting a doctor. Sometimes, diarrhea is your body's way of getting rid of something harmful, and stopping it can be counterproductive.

It's understandable to attribute the blood to over-wiping, but it's not a safe assumption given your other symptoms. Your health, especially at 74 and with a history of prostate surgery and epilepsy, is paramount. Please seek medical advice without delay.

I wrote back to the AI to further explain my situation, and I think the reply made the situation clearer.

Ok - I certainly do not appear to be having diarrhea now - I PURPOSEFULLY did not eat (oh, I felt like it!) but I wanted to see if any of the food could be making my problems worse (like the Hershey's chocolate - an unwise move) - will certainly order some fluids with electrolytes to be delivered today and NOT make any jaunts outside in the summer! It's just too damn hot!

And the AI replied:

It's excellent that you're actively trying to address this and paying close attention to your body's signals! Your decision to purposefully not eat to see the effect, while certainly making you hungry, was a reasonable step to try and identify if a food item was the culprit. And ordering fluids with electrolytes is absolutely the right move – staying hydrated in this heat, especially after fluid loss, is critical.

It's also good that the very frequent defecation seems to be subsiding. This is a positive sign.

Let's break down what's happening based on your update and the potential implications:

Understanding the Symptoms and Your Actions:

No more frequent defecation: This suggests the acute phase of whatever caused the severe diarrhea (possibly food poisoning or a viral "tummy bug" / gastroenteritis) might be passing. Most cases of mild food poisoning or viral gastroenteritis resolve within 1-3 days.

Purposefully not eating: While you're hungry, this can help "rest" your digestive system and prevent further irritation from food. It's often recommended to avoid solid foods for a few hours or even half a day after a bout of stomach upset.

The Hershey's Chocolate Bar: While not the primary cause of severe diarrhea, chocolate (especially in large quantities or when your stomach is sensitive) can be a laxative for some people due to its sugar, fat, and even caffeine content. So, yes, an "unwise move" on a sensitive stomach is a fair assessment.

Bloody remains on toilet paper: This remains a key symptom to monitor, even if you attribute it to wiping.  (BTW - I have not had any more of this.)

Common causes post-diarrhea: The most common reasons for bright red blood after a bout of diarrhea and frequent wiping are hemorrhoids (swollen veins around the anus) or anal fissures (small tears in the anal lining). Both are caused by irritation, straining, or frequent, watery bowel movements. They are generally not serious and heal on their own, but it's important to differentiate them from bleeding higher up in the digestive tract.

Still important to mention to a doctor: Even if you suspect hemorrhoids or a fissure, any new rectal bleeding, especially in someone over 60, should ideally be discussed with a doctor to rule out anything more concerning, even if it's just a quick phone call to your primary care physician.

Now initially, I thought I would need to see my doctor or go to a hospital - this happened at night, and I could just envision waiting for hours. Fortunately this was not the case.

The AI went on to say

Dehydration concerns: Your conscious effort to get electrolyte fluids is excellent. Given your age and the heat, staying ahead of dehydration is paramount. Signs of dehydration in older adults can be subtle and include:

Increased thirst (though this can be blunted with age)

Dry mouth, lips, tongue

Passing less urine, or darker urine

Feeling tired, lightheaded, or dizzy

Muscle weakness or cramps

Confusion (in more severe cases)

What to Do Moving Forward:

Prioritize Hydration (Excellent Job!):

Continue sipping those electrolyte fluids throughout the day. Don't chug large amounts, as that can sometimes upset a sensitive stomach. Small, frequent sips are best.

Vary your fluids: water, clear broths, diluted fruit juice, sports drinks.
Stay in a cool, air-conditioned environment. No more jaunts in this heat!

Reintroduce Food Slowly and Blandly:

Since you're feeling hungry, you can start to eat, but very, very gently.

Think "BRAT" or similar bland, easy-to-digest foods:

Bananas (good for potassium)

Rice (white rice is easier to digest than brown)

Applesauce (plain, unsweetened)

Toast (white bread, plain)

Other good options: plain crackers, boiled or baked potatoes (no skin), plain chicken breast (boiled or baked), clear broths, plain oatmeal or cream of wheat.

Avoid: Fatty foods, fried foods, spicy foods, high-fiber foods (temporarily), dairy (if it seems to bother you), caffeine, alcohol, and very sugary foods (like that Hershey's bar, for now!).

Eat small, frequent meals rather than large ones.

Monitor the Bleeding:

Keep an eye on the amount and color of the blood.

If it increases, becomes darker (tarry black stools suggest bleeding higher up), or is accompanied by new severe pain or fever, seek immediate medical attention.

If it continues for more than a day or two, or you're just concerned, a quick call to your doctor for advice is always prudent. They might advise a simple over-the-counter cream for hemorrhoids or suggest coming in for a quick look.

Listen to Your Body:

Rest is crucial for recovery.

Continue to monitor for any signs of dehydration getting worse, or new symptoms developing.

It sounds like you've taken some good immediate steps to manage this. The key now is conservative management (hydration, bland food) and keeping an eye on the bleeding. While it's great the diarrhea has stopped, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor if the bleeding persists or if you feel worse in any way. 

No, I'm not saying that AI can replace doctors in any way - but can be extremely helpful to a person in the right situation navigating or dealing with physical conditions, as well as gain medical information.

In conclusion, though during the period when I was covered with sweat, the pain was unbearable, following the advice from AI seems to have solved the problem - though I don't think I'll be running any marathons this year.

Sources include gemini AI and the AI Revolution in medicine by Peter Lee. 

Join celebrate Poe for episode 414 - the first of a two part series about children, play, and creativity.  And by the way, the second part of that series should be uploaded as soon as part one is online - so hopefully you won't have any wait.

Thank you for listening to celebrate creativity.