Dr. Alberto Perez , medical director of the Emergency Department at UConn Health.For more information about the Emergency Department at UConn Health please visit: http://health.uconn.edu/patient-services/emergency-department/

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT, STORRS, CONN. - Temperatures are soaring into the 90s this week and with it comes a warning in Connecticut of uhealthy air-quality from elevated levels of ozone pollution in the air.

According to Connecticut's Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Roberts Klee: "We are expecting air quality that will impact all of our citizens, especially the most vulnerable residents - children, the elderly, and those with respiratory disease such as asthma."

UConn John Dempsey Hospital's Emergency Department is also urging caution for everyone during this heat wave, especially the young and old.

"There is danger of being exposed to the high heat if not hydrating and cooling down properly which can lead to general malaise or fatigue, heat exhaustion or to more severe heat stroke," stresses

Perez adds: "You don't have to be exerting yourself in the high heat to be impacted. Also, your risk of heat related illness increases if you are in the extreme range of ages of young children or older adults from the high heat and high humidity index."

In addition, Perez and his team also worry about the effect of the high heat and humidity for patients with lung conditions such as COPD and asthma because they can struggle during this time with greater exacerbation of their condition.

"I think every Emergency Department in the state will see patients this week with heat related illness symptoms such as extreme tiredness, nausea, dizziness, headaches, and dehydration," says Perez. "If it is 96 degrees outside, and you are not used to the hot weather please reconsider going out for your run or bike ride in the middle of the day."

UConn Health's Emergency Department advises:

• Be prudent about protecting yourself from the sun, heat, and poor air-quality
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and some drinks with electrolytes
• Stay indoors in the air conditioning and stay in the shade
• Wear light-weight and loose-fitting clothing
• Make sure you have your asthma medication or inhalers handy
• Avoid strenuous outdoor exertion activity and exercise
• If you do exercise do so before noon or after 8 pm
• If outdoors in the sun, take more frequent breaks in the shade or indoors since just a few minutes in the shade can reduce your body's temperature