Mother Nature plans to crank up the blast furnace for the better part of this week as heat and humidity will grip the Sioux Empire through Saturday.

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued an Excessive Heat Warning that will be in effect from Wednesday, July 20, at 1:00 PM through Friday, July 22, 2016, at 7:00 PM.

Stifling hot temps approaching the century mark are expected throughout the Sioux Empire on Wednesday, Thursday, and possibly even on Friday.

Due to the soaring temps people need to keep an eye out for how the weather impacts your health. You need to be mindful of the symptoms that go along with heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Dr. Heeyoung Wang with Avera's Heart Hospital says heat exhaustion and heat stroke are not one in the same.

According to Wang an early symptom of heat exhaustion is "feeling hot, kind of nauseous, kind of weak."

As temperatures outdoors increase, so do your chances of developing heat exhaustion. If you reach a point where you can't seem to find any relief from the heat you could be developing a condition that is much worse, heat stroke.

Wang says signs of heat stroke include; having some confusion, disorientation, maybe you become either really agitated or even comatose. Headache, dizziness, rapid heart rate, increased body temperatures, shortness of breath and even convulsions are other symptoms that can accompany heat stroke.

A person displaying any of those symptoms should get medical care immediately.

Heat stroke can actually hurt your body by damaging organs and forcing them to shut down. Should you reach that point, you could be looking at costly surgeries and might even face death in some cases.

That's why it is crucial to stay hydrated on the days you spend extended periods of time outdoors when excessive heat is present.

Experts recommend that you make a conscious effort to drink water frequently. Other helpful tips include wearing light-colored, loose fitted clothing and remembering to take regular breaks while playing and working in the hot summer sun.

People that are most susceptible to heat-related illnesses include senior citizens and young children. Experts recommend that constant supervision be given to those age groups. Limiting sun exposure to fewer than two hours at a time is another very good idea.

Source: KDLT News

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