Heatwave continues to bake us, takes toll on bodies

East Texas sees another day of triple-digit temperatures

EAST TEXAS - It's something that's all too familiar for those of us living in East Texas.

Come summer, it's a survival game, battling this heat everyday.

Doctors tell us this year, it seems heat-related illnesses are at an all-time high.

"This year it's a little worse," said Dr. Mark Anderson, physician at Trinity Mother Frances Hospital. "Especially when the temperatures hit 100, we see big spike."

Dr. Anderson said there is a difference between heat exhaustion, dehydration and heat stroke.

The early signs of heat stress are:

-cramps
-muscle pain
-maybe some twitching

After that comes heat exhaustion.

Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids.

Warning signs of heat exhaustion include:

-heavy sweating
-paleness
-muscle cramps
-tiredness
-weakness
-dizziness
-headache
-nausea or vomiting
-fainting

If left untreated - it develops into heat stroke. Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia, an abnormally elevated body temperature with accompanying physical and neurological symptoms. Unlike heat cramps and heat exhaustion, two forms of hyperthermia that are less severe, heat stroke is a true medical emergency that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated.

Symptoms and signs of heat stroke include:

-high body temperature
-the absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin
-rapid pulse
-difficulty breathing
-strange behavior
-hallucinations
-confusion
-agitation
-disorientation
-seizure

Dr. Anderson said the best advice is drink lots of fluid and stay away from caffeine. He advises people to drink something every 30 minutes during the heat wave.

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