Summer brings longer days and outdoor fun, but it also drives up Emergency Room visits for heat-related and injury-related conditions. At UAB Medical West, our emergency medicine team sees spikes in cases ranging from heat exhaustion to traumatic fractures.
Knowing when to head straight to the Emergency Room versus seeking care at an urgent care clinic can save you valuable time and ensure you receive the right treatment. In this guide, we’ll cover the most common reasons that people make ER visits in the summer. We’ll also talk about what you can do to make the right choice between the ER and the local urgent care, for the level of care you need.
Top Summer Emergency Room Visits
#1 – Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Heat exhaustion occurs when your body overheats in high temperatures and humidity, struggling to regulate internal heat through sweat alone. You might experience heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, and muscle cramps. Skin often feels cool and moist, and you may faint if you stand quickly.
Without immediate treatment, including moving to a cool environment, sipping water or sports drinks, and placing cool, wet cloths on your skin, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, which can be fatal.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. It develops when core body temperature climbs above 104°F (or 40°C) and the body’s cooling mechanisms fail. Symptoms include confusion, irritability, rapid heartbeat, skin that is hot and dry to the touch, and seizures. Victims can lose consciousness and suffer organ damage within minutes.
In the Emergency Room, UAB Medical West’s team administers rapid cooling measures such as ice packs, cooling blankets, and mist-and-fan therapy. Intravenous fluids restore hydration, and continuous monitoring ensures vital signs stabilize. Early recognition and swift medical intervention are critical to prevent long-term complications or death.
#2 – Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance
Dehydration results from losing more fluids than you take in, a common problem during hot summer days. Early warning signs include extreme thirst, dry mouth, dark urine, and fatigue. As dehydration worsens, you may experience rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure when standing, dizziness, and confusion.
When sweating is heavy, the body also loses essential electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and chloride. An imbalance can lead to muscle cramps, irregular heart rhythms, and in severe cases, even seizures.
At UAB Medical West’s Emergency Room, mild dehydration is treated with oral rehydration solutions that provide balanced electrolytes. More serious cases require intravenous fluids combined with electrolyte replenishment. Nurses monitor your electrolyte levels and kidney function through blood tests, ensuring that fluid and mineral balances are restored safely.
#3 – Traumatic Injuries: Cuts, Fractures, and Burns
Outdoor summer activities such as grilling, swimming, and sports increase the risk of cuts, broken bones, and thermal or sunburn injuries. Deep lacerations may need stitches or surgical repair, while displaced fractures often require realignment and casting, sometimes under sedation. Severe burns or large-area sunburns can cause fluid loss, blistering, and infection risk, warranting specialized burn care and pain management available in the Emergency Room.
Emergency Medicine vs Urgent Care – Where to Go
When You Need the ER
Head to the Emergency Room when you suspect life-threatening or rapidly worsening conditions. This includes signs of heat stroke such as altered mental status, seizures, or body temperature above 104°F.
Severe dehydration with fainting or inability to keep fluids down, chest pain, shortness of breath, and uncontrolled bleeding also demand emergency medicine expertise. Traumatic injuries that involve loss of consciousness, suspected head or spinal trauma, or burns covering large areas of skin warrant immediate ER evaluation.
At UAB Medical West, our board-certified emergency physicians and full resuscitation teams are available around the clock to stabilize critical patients.
When Urgent Care Is Appropriate
Urgent Care centers are best for non-life-threatening but urgent issues that cannot wait for a primary care appointment. Treatable at urgent care are mild to moderate dehydration without dizziness or low blood pressure, minor heat exhaustion managed with oral rehydration and cool environments, and simple cuts requiring stitches.
Minor fractures that are non-displaced and small superficial burns can also be managed in that setting. UAB Medical West’s network of urgent care clinics offers extended hours and on-site X-rays, so you can avoid long ER waits when your condition is stable and requires rapid attention rather than emergency intervention.
Preventative Tips to Avoid Summer ER Visits
Hydration and Sun Protection
Drink water regularly, aiming for at least eight eight-ounce glasses per day, and increase intake during outdoor activities. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages that promote fluid loss. Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, reapplying every two hours, and don lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat to shield skin from harmful UV rays.
Safe Outdoor Practices and First-Aid Basics
Plan strenuous activities for early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler. Take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas to allow your body temperature to recover. Keep a first-aid kit stocked with sterile gauze, adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, and burn dressings. Learn basic wound care for minor cuts and burns, and carry oral rehydration salts or electrolyte packets to address early signs of dehydration before they require medical attention.
UAB Delivers Leading Summer Emergency Care
UAB Medical West combines advanced emergency medicine capabilities with a caring, patient-focused approach. Our Emergency Room is fully equipped for critical interventions, including rapid cooling treatments, IV fluid resuscitation, and urgent imaging. When your condition is stable but still urgent, our network of Urgent Care clinics provides quick access to evaluation, basic labs, and X-rays without the wait.
Trust UAB Medical West With Your Summer Emergencies
During hot summer months, timely medical attention can make all the difference. UAB Medical West Emergency Rooms in Bessemer and Hoover offer high-quality emergency care—fast, efficient, and close to home.
From heat-related illnesses and severe dehydration to cuts, fractures, and burns, our skilled teams are ready to help you feel better fast and keep your family safe.