High Temperatures Cause Hospitalizations: Heat Watch

DALLAS, TX — Dallas residents are urged to drink water and stay indoors this week as a streak of hot days settles across the region.

The metroplex could see up to eight straight days of over-100 degree temperatures, an unseasonably hot week during May.

Meteorologist James Brian of KXAS called attention to the heat streak on Twitter, reminding residents to take breaks often when working outside.

"This pattern is normally what we see in the middle of summer," James told Dallas Morning News. "Looks like we're in the trenches."

MedStar, the ambulance provider in several parts of the DFW Metroplex, said on Twitter that EMS workers responded to 34 heat-related calls during the Memorial Day weekend. Of those, 20 patients were taken to area hospitals, with one in critical condition.

Mayo Clinic says symptoms of heat exhaustion include cool, moist skin when in the heat, heavy sweating, faintness, dizziness, rapid pulse, low blood pressure when standing, muscle cramps, nausea and headaches.

Some instances of heat exhaustion can be treated at home, but the clinic says a call should be made to 9-1-1 if the person faints, seems agitated or confused, seizes, can't drink water or has a core body temperature of 104 degrees.

The symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke are similar in pets to those in humans. Pets should be kept in shady, breezy areas or indoors.

The pet should be taken to see a veterinarian immediately if it seems lethargic, has diarrhea, vomits or begins to stumble or seize.

You can keep up with the Dallas forecast here.

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