Extreme heat overwhelms LA hospitals as doctors warn vulnerable residents to stay cool and covered

Triple-digit heat is causing a surge of emergency room visits and hospital admissions across the Los Angeles metro area. Doctors say many of the patients are especially vulnerable to soaring temperatures.

"The only thing I don't like is when it gets over a hundred," said Breadlove vendor Oscar Ruiz.

He can almost bake his bread in the heat. But no matter what the temperature reads, farmers' market vendors told Eyewitness News they plan to stick it out.

"It's definitely a little up there in the heat, but it's not unusual for us," said vendor Hector Guerrero.

The high temperatures are proving to be unusual for many who underestimate the dangerous heat.

"We are busy. We are definitely busy. The hospital is filling up much more than we would usually would have for a summer census. We are definitely feeling the heat," said Pulmonary and Critical Care specialist Dr. Seth Rivera.

He said many of the patients succumbing to the heat have underlying health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

"Coming in with more kidney failure from dehydration, for people with kidney disease. People with breathing issues from a combination of the heat and the poor air quality gets worse when it gets very hot," he said.

Don't stop taking your medication, but Rivera said patients should be aware that many common prescription drugs can cause more water loss.

"A lot of the blood pressure medications can also predispose to inability to compensate for the heat, and there's a bunch of medications, like antihistamines and stuff, that decrease your body's ability to sweat," Rivera said.

His advice is to stay out of the sun at all costs. But, if you must venture out, drink water every 10 to 15 minutes, and don't forget to apply sunscreen

At the farmers' market on Friday, canopies gave vendors the needed shade. Organizers said they provide plenty of water, and they keep the wet towels coming.

"Get cold towels. And get some handkerchiefs to keep yourself clean," Guerrero said.

When it's hot, your instinct might be to shed layers, wear tank tops, and expose more skin, but Rivera says you should do the opposite. When the direct sun hits your skin, it causes more fluid loss.

He says the best sun and hot weather protection is to wear a long-sleeved, light-colored cotton or linen shirt.