EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) -
The heat has emergency room physicians busy treating patients wilting in the triple-digit temperatures.
It only takes a couple minutes out in this heat to begin sweating and on your way to a heat-related episode.
Doctors at St. Mary's Medical Center are treating dozens of people for heat-related illnesses each day, as many as 20 to 25 patients are treated each day.
Nancy McLeary, the executive director of emergency services says the patient load has been rising since Thursday when temperatures rose above 100 degrees.
She says heat is making patients' other symptoms worse and people need to be cautious of the heat and not ignore the warning signs.
"They don't realize how fast their body can actually be losing their water content. The body is composed of 75% water and as you get out into the hot conditions, your body sweats and you lose your body volume, your body water that way," McLeary said.
Doctors say if you have to be outside, drink plenty of water, take breaks in air conditioning or at least in the shade.
Physicians say it's important to seek help immediately if you do show symptoms of heat stroke which include rapid heartbeat, elevated or lowered blood pressure, cessation of sweating, irritability, confusion or unconsciousness, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, nausea and fainting.
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