ORLANDO, Fla. — Officials with AdventHealth report they are seeing a stark rise in people coming to urgent care clinics for heat-related illness. Hospital officials say they've seen a 115% increase in the past two weeks.
What You Need To Know
- Officials will be holding a press conference at AdventHealth on Tuesday about on the rise in heat-related cases
- This summer alone, there's been a 20% increase in cases compared to last year
- Doctors hope as temperatures rise, people will be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
Temperatures across Central Florida are set to reach the upper 90s on Tuesday. Due to the moisture, people can expect the temperatures to feel like 106 degrees to 112 degrees.
Over in the Tampa Bay area, it will be another hot day with high temperatures reaching the mid-90s. Another heat advisory is in store for the Bay area as the heat index reaches 105 to 110 today.
AdventHealth is hoping to get the word out about precautionary measures, as officials have seen a stark rise in patients coming through their doors after suffering from the high temps.
According to AdventHealth, heat exhaustion is characterized by:
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Heavy sweating
- Muscle cramps
Doctors say that if you're having these symptoms, you go inside and sip on water. If symptoms continue, head to urgent care.
Heatstroke, meanwhile, is the most serious of heat-related illnesses. Some symptoms of heat stroke might be similar to heat exhaustion, however, certain signs are elevated. These include heavy breathing, dry instead of sweaty skin, slurred speech, and an internal temperature of 104 degrees or higher.
If you are facing symptoms of heatstroke, it's important you get to an ER as soon as possible. Heatstroke can lead to permanent organ damage and in some cases death.
AdventHealth officials will be holding a press conference with tips and information at 10 a.m. The press conference will be held at AdventHealth East Orlando, 7727 Lake Underhill Rd., Orlando.