KANSAS CITY, Mo.– With temperatures in the middle 90’s and heat indicies above 100 degrees, doctors are urging caution if you must be outside, under the sun. Dr. Gary Gaddis, an Emergency Room Physician at St. Luke’s Hospital says shade and fluids are a must.
“If a person doesn’t drink enough fluids and they start to slow down the sweating, that’s another reason they might get over heated,” said Dr. Gaddis.
On the plaza, Alexa Tiefel and Jane Hutchinson practice their serves on the tennis court. The pair play for four to five hours daily during the summer.
“Water, sunscreen, towels, Gatorade,” said Hutchinson.
The girls are prepared for the long hot days and actually enjoy the heat on their backs.
“It’s definitely tough but once you get used to it, once you are out here for a while, it’s not that bad,” said Tiefel.
Dr. Gaddis says if you must be out in the sun for long periods of time, pouring water on yourself can help.
“Don’t hesitate to pour water over yourself because if you are very wet and you evaporate that water off of your skin it will help cool you,” said Dr. Gaddis.
St. Luke’s Hospital says up to this point, they’ve only seen a few sporadic cause of heat related injuries.
