It has been stiflingly hot and humid the last week, so we want to make sure you don't fall victim to a heat emergency.  We talked to a doctor at McGreevy Clinic Avera Southeast in Sioux Falls to find out when you need to see a doctor because your are overheated.

Whether it's the stomach flu or heat exhaustion, water is your best defense against a lot of what ails us. Especially in the summer sun. So drink up so you can sweat it out.

If you are outside a lot in the heat and aren't sweating that's a problem. It means you aren't taking in enough fluids. Sweating is our body's natural mechanism to cool down, but if you are sweating profusely, have muscle craps or pains, you're pale with cool moist skin and are nauseous you may have heat exhaustion.

Dr. Courtney Moose at McGreevy Clinic Southeast says, "If somebody is outside and the weather is really hot and they aren't making sense, as far as the elderly, they just aren't making sense, their judgment seems to be affected, they are dizzy standing up, that should tip you off that's something is going on."

Heat stroke can be life threatening.

Dr. Moose says, "If someone is starting to vomit or starting to lose consciousness, they aren't , not able to stand up because they are so weak. They need to see a doctor."

It's always a good idea to check on your elderly neighbors because the extreme heat affects them more.

Dr. Moose says, "Make sure they're in a shady place if they are outside but even then you may need to get them inside to a cool air conditioned house. If you are in a park for a family reunion, it's probably a good idea to have them sit in air conditioned car for a while too.

Luckily, Dr. moose says she hasn't treated anyone at her McGreevy Clinic on Southeastern so far this summer for heat stroke and if you're careful she won't have to.