By Stephanie Lewis, certified physician assistant (PA-C) Urgent Care
When the heat index climbs above 80 degrees, especially on humid days, our bodies can struggle to keep up. In Urgent Care, we often see heat-related illnesses ranging from dehydration and rashes to more serious issues like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. On top of that, extreme heat can make chronic conditions like asthma, COPD, kidney disease, or heart problems even worse.
So, what should you watch for? Heat exhaustion usually comes first. People often feel nauseated, lightheaded, extremely thirsty, or notice a racing heartbeat. Heat stroke is more serious and includes confusion, trouble walking, and in some cases, even seizures or coma. A key difference is temperature. With heat exhaustion, body temperature typically stays below 104°F, while heat stroke pushes it higher and brings on mental status changes.
To avoid these risks, try to stay in air-conditioned spaces when you can. If you need to be outside, try to avoid the hottest part of the day, which is usually between noon and 4 p.m., and plan your activities for earlier or later. That might mean walking the dog early in the morning or saving gardening for the evening hours.
Hydration is also key. Drink water consistently, ideally every 20 minutes if you’re out in the heat. And if you’re sweating or exercising, switch to drinks with electrolytes such as Gatorade, Pedialyte, or Liquid I.V. These help your body recover more effectively than water alone.
If you don’t have air conditioning, simple changes can help keep your home cooler. Avoid using your oven or stove, which quickly heats up the space. Try grilling outside instead, or stick to no-cook meals like a cold bean salad with olive oil and vinegar—refreshing and easy.
When should you seek care? If you’ve cooled off, hydrated and used ice packs but still feel nauseated, dizzy or just not yourself, it’s time to come into Urgent Care or the Emergency Department if it’s after hours. We can monitor symptoms, provide IV fluids, if needed, and make sure things don’t get worse. And if someone around you starts showing signs of confusion or trouble walking, call 911 right away.
It’s also worth knowing that once you’ve had a heat-related illness, your body becomes more sensitive to heat for a while—up to three months. That means it’s easier to get sick again, even at lower temperatures than before. So if you’ve had one episode, it’s especially important to stay cautious moving forward.
If you have concerns or symptoms, our Urgent Care is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and our Emergency Department is always open. We’re here to help!
Stephanie Lewis, PA-C, Urgent Care