Baystate sees influx of emergency patients during heat wave [Video]

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – After four consecutive days of extreme heat, local hospitals have reported an uptick in patients coming into the emergency room. Western Mass News got answers from Baystate Medical Center.

Dr. Seth Gemme told us that Baystate has seen a steady increase in emergency room patients this week compared to previous weeks.

“[We’ve seen] more patients with dehydration or they overexerted themselves, they come in with nonspecific symptoms like dizziness and headache and nausea and feeling fatigued,” he told us.

Doctor Gemme added that they often see an increase in elderly patients when the temperature gets warmer. So, we stopped by the Raymond Jordan senior center in Springfield to see how they’re holding up.

“It’s been nice and cool in here and they give us a lot of water,” resident Robert Baranowski claimed.

Baranowski of Springfield told us he’s been at the senior center every day this …