Some Emergency Rooms Report Higher Numbers Of Patients Due To Heat

ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) - As temperatures remain steady about 90 degrees, some emergency rooms in the region have seen more patients coming in with heat related illness. Dr. Justin Mazzillo, Assistant Medical Director for the Emergency Department at Strong Memorial Hospital says it’s hard to get exact numbers since heat isn’t usually a symptom mentioned when a patient comes in, but its causes a lot of issues. He says people need to keep tabs on what they’re drinking and sun exposure while outside. "A lot of people come in and say they just didn’t remember or think to drink fluids and by the time they realized it was too late." Mazzillo says the heat can exasperate things like chronic illness and people on certain medications as well. Symptoms reported include weakness or headaches, lightheadedness or dizziness with occasional nausea, vomiting or muscle cramps. Mazzillo reminds people to check on neighbors especially the young or elderly, and monitor your time outside.