SHREVEPORT, La. — As dangerous heat continues to grip the ArkLaTex, local doctors are urging residents to take precautions as emergency departments see an increase in heat-related illnesses.

Dr. David Janese, a primary care and emergency medicine physician with Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, said prolonged exposure to high temperatures and heat index values ranging from 110 to 120 degrees has led to more patients seeking treatment for dehydration and other heat-related conditions.

"Our amount of heat-related injuries has increased across our region," Janese said. "We've seen an uptick in the amount of calls that can be related to the excess amount of heat."

Janese, who also serves as medical director for the Shreveport Fire Department, said the hottest hours of the day — generally between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. — pose the greatest risk.

Older adults, young children, people experiencing homelessness and those with chronic medical conditions are among the most vulnerable to extreme heat, he said.

Early symptoms of heat-related illness include excessive sweating, fatigue, dizziness, weakness and dehydration. As conditions worsen, people may become confused, disoriented or lose consciousness, signaling a potentially life-threatening emergency.

"If they're not acting right, they may have a heat-related emergency," Janese said. "Those are the times absolutely we need to call for emergency services."

Health officials recommend moving anyone showing signs of heat illness into a shaded or air-conditioned area immediately, encouraging them to drink water and electrolyte-replacement beverages if they are alert, and calling 911 if symptoms become severe.

Janese said cooling methods that combine water with moving air, such as fans or misting devices, are especially effective at lowering body temperature. While cold compresses can also help, evaporative cooling is often more effective.

He also stressed the importance of replacing electrolytes after prolonged sweating, noting that the body loses both water and essential minerals during extreme heat.

"You want sweat, water and wind," Janese said. "You want the wind to be able to cool you off."

Janese encouraged residents to plan outdoor activities carefully, stay hydrated throughout the day and take frequent breaks in air-conditioned spaces. He also advised anyone taking medications or managing chronic health conditions to speak with their health care provider about whether extreme heat could increase their risk.

"If you're starting to have a headache, you're starting to get dizzy — things that tell you you were okay before you were outside — those might be the first warning signs that you need to cool down, hydrate and recover," Janese said.