JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville is once again under a heat advisory as sweltering temperatures continue to climb, with heat indexes feeling well into the triple digits, and accompanying the extreme heat is the concern of safety.
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Health experts, like Dr. Jimmy Dourado, are urging residents to take precautions to avoid potentially serious complications from prolonged exposure.
Dr. Dourado, a family medicine physician at HCA Florida Memorial Hospital, shared tips with News4JAX on how to avoid heat-related illnesses and what symptoms to watch for.
“Heat stroke is the worst-case scenario,” Dr. Dourado said. “Typically, it starts with dehydration, which can lead to heat exhaustion. People may feel thirsty, sweat excessively, or even feel nauseous.”
Dr. Dourado’s top recommendation: pre-hydrate.
“Before you start your day or go outside, make sure you drink plenty of water,” he advised. Pre-hydration is a simple but effective way to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses."
He stresses that certain groups face a higher risk when temperatures spike.
“There are populations that need to be taken into consideration,” he explained. “Folks who work outside a lot may not realize it, but they’re very susceptible to possible dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke—especially with these temperatures. This also includes athletes practicing during this time and patients with chronic medical conditions who may be on medications that worsen dehydration.”
Dr. Dourado also suggests setting reminders to drink water throughout the day. “If you forget to drink water throughout the day, set a timer on your phone. That usually helps remember, hey, listen, it’s time for me to drink some water.”
He, again, emphasized the importance of pre-hydration while cautioning that not all drinks are the best for hydration, and water should be prioritized.
“Staying hydrated helps keep your body temperature lower, which prevents heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses,” Dr. Dourado said. “The key takeaway here is hydration. The body has its own thermal regulation mechanism, and it works best when you’re well hydrated.”
If you start to show symptoms of heat-related illness, such as dizziness, nausea, or confusion, Dr. Dourado recommends seeking medical attention immediately.