Joplin hospitals sees huge increase in heat related illnesses - KOAM TV 7

Joplin hospitals sees huge increase in heat related illnesses

Last year Freeman Hospital says they saw three patients a week for heat related illnesses.  So far this year they're seeing an average of two patients a day.

Nausea, dehydration and muscle cramps are just some of the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

With heat and humidity now in the air, emergency room officials are expecting more patients.

"High humidity kind of adds on top of the high heat so people need to be extremely careful this time of year," says Leslie Allen, an E.R. Charge Nurse for Freeman Health System.  "We don't see a real break in it so people just need to be real cautious of how hot it is and how very little time it takes to be exposed to these extreme heats before they do become ill."

To avoid heat related illnesses officials say to limit the amount of time you spend outside during the day, take frequent breaks and drink lots of fluids.