As temperatures soar in Houston and other Texas cities, Dr. Christopher Langan, a board-certified emergency room physician says now is the time to know the symptoms of heat illnesses, including heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

HOUSTON, TX – Every year from late June to August, temperatures in Texas cities like Houston, Austin, Paris, Killeen, Odessa, Midland, College Station, and Texarkana rise to near triple digits, bringing with it heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Even though this is a yearly occurrence, Dr. Christopher Langan, a board-certified Houston, TX emergency room physician and Chief Operating Officer of SignatureCare Emergency Center said it still manages to catch many Texans unprepared.

Texans love their lawns and keeping it looking gorgeous is a thing of pride, but outdoor activities like mowing the lawn and physical exercise often contribute to increase in heat strokes and heat exhaustions.

“Symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke include nausea, vomiting and excessive sweating but sometimes it is possible to be out in the heat and facing heat exhaustion, and not be aware of it because you are feeling cool,” Dr. Langan said.

The ER doctor cautioned Texans to be mindful of these symptoms and listen to their bodies if they are going to be outside as temperatures soar.

“During a heat stroke, your body functions might start to shut down and may fail to adequately compensate for the heat. So instead of sweating as is normal to do when you are out in the heat, you might stop sweating. You could also experience headache and loss of consciousness,” he said.

See also: SignatureCare Emergency Center Now Accepting Applications for the 2023 Fall Semester College Medical and Health Scholarship.

“If you plan to spend any time outdoors during the summer in Texas, you need to take some precautions,” Dr. Langan added.

“Symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke include nausea, vomiting and excessive sweating but sometimes it is possible to be out in the heat and facing heat exhaustion, and not be aware of it because you are feeling cool.”

He said that during this time of year, emergency rooms see an increase in the number of patients suffering heat exposure.

“Every year we advise the same thing – if you must be outside during rising temperatures, do so early in the morning or later in the evening when the temperature is not so high.

“Mow your lawns in the morning or late evening when the temperature is moderating. Don’t overestimate your body’s ability to compensate for the excessive heat. You do not need to put yourself in harm’s way,” Langan said.

SignatureCare Emergency Center’s emergency rooms in Texas are open 24 hours and board-certified ER physicians are always available onsite.