Heat Illness: What You Need To Know

The scorching heat along the Gulf Coast is sending more people to the hospital. Mobile Infirmary says they're seeing an increase of heat-related illness in their emergency rooms. Dr. Christopher Frailie says this is what you need to look out for: cramping, dizziness, weakness, and vomiting. If you spot these symptoms, Dr. Frailie says immediately get out of the sun, and into a cool area. Drink plenty of fluids, take off as much clothing as possible, and if it doesn't get better, go to the hospital, "most people with mild heat exhaustion, mild heat cramps, you know, if they can get in a cool place, get their clothes off, try to get a fan on them, that will also help get rid of body heat and drink a lot of fluid, generally those people will recover. But, if they're vomiting because of the heat cramps they probably need to come to the hospital and get i.v. fluids," said Dr. Frailie. He also recommends drinking fluids with electrolytes, like Gatorade, but he says you should water it down, because excess sugar is not has hydrating. Dr. Frailie also says it's very important that you check on the elderly in this hot weather or anyone you know who may not have air conditioning.