NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Emergency room doctors at Vanderbilt are preparing for the potential increase in heat-related patients as temperatures this week are expected to climb to dangerous levels.
Doctors said when temperatures are in the high 90s or hitting the 100 degree mark people need to be careful. Health officials recommend taking more frequent breaks and drinking plenty of fluids.
Officials said that if you start to feel weak, dizzy, cold or have trouble thinking, you could be experiencing heat exhaustion or a heat stroke.
"Heat exhaustion; people normally do well if they get out of the sun, drink fluids and rest. Heat stroke requires intravenous fluids and rapid cooling. One can die from heat stroke, it's even happened with an NFL player," said Dr. Corey Slovis with Vanderbilt Medical Center.
Water is the best liquid to drink if you're active in the heat.
