Temperatures are starting to climb which increases the risk of heat related illnesses. 

Dallas County Health Department Health Navigation Coordinator Ann Cochran says there are two preventable health related illnesses people need to be aware of and those are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Cochran explains that there are many signs people can look for when it comes to heat exhaustion including heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea and a headache to name a few. 

“Really one of the most important things is when you begin to feel hot, get to a cool place right away.” 

Cochran says that someone suffering from heat stroke shows symptoms  including a body temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, confusion and loss of consciousness. She says someone suffering from those symptoms would need to go to the nearest urgent care medical facility immediately. 

“Being overheated too much for too long is a medical emergency and it can cause damage to your internal organs if it gets to be too much. So it’s not something to just be ignored or think you can just gut it out.”

Cochran recommends warding off heat exhaustion or heat stroke  is to drink extra water when a heat wave passes through the area and always find a shade or a place out of the sunlight when you’ve been outside for a long period of time.