The dangers of extreme heat

"It's easy to forget how dangerous the heat is," says University Health Emergency Physician Romeo Fairley. He says many people worry about natural disasters but the heat itself can be highly deadly, "heat is actually the number one killing in emergency disaster."

Dr. John Tully from the Baptist Health System says they are seeing people everyday for heat-related injuries, most are heat exhaustion. Dr. Tully explains the human body regulates at 98 degrees, but heat-related symptoms can begin to occur at just 101 degrees.

He explains the symptoms to look for that can be dangerous, "[there's an] increase in thirst, can't seem to cool off, one of the worst signs is when you actually stop sweating, because your body regulating has been overcome with the heat."

Walter Ball, Bexar Co. ESD 2 Division Chief said when they typically respond to heat-related calls, "people are doing their normal job, whether it's construction or some type of outdoor activity due to their job, we're seeing a lot of recreational activities that's coming with."

Division Chief Ball says they are responding to an average of six heat-related calls a day. The San Antonio Fire Department was not available for comment but said over the weekend, they responded to 24 calls over heat-related injuries.

Ball says when responding to a call, this is what they're noticing, "they're quite red, some people are sweating some people are not sweating depending on where they are in their heat emergency, sometimes they're conscious, they're typically quite confused".

Dr. Tully says if someone is experiencing any of these heat symptoms, to move to a cooler area, drink plenty of water and put a wet, cool rag on the forehead and under the arms. If none of the symptoms resolve, then seek medical care immediately.