If you live in an area that gets particularly hot during the summer, you need to learn about heat exhaustion to prevent it happening to you. If left untreated, it can be fatal, so it is not a matter to be taken lightly. In fact, you do not even have to be in sweltering heat to suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke, the most intense form.
There are other factors besides the temperature outside such as your sensitivity to temperature changes. People who are accustomed to extremely cold climates much of the year are more susceptible because their bodies are not primed for the heat. This is similar to the discomfort those who reside close to the equator feel when getting close to the poles.
Young people, elderly folks and those with compromised immune systems are more likely to suffer when the temperatures rise and will react even to smaller changes that the average adult may barely notice. The same is true for pets. If you have any people or animals in your care, make sure that you keep them safe and comfortable following appropriate guidelines for the weather and the general health of the individual.
If your body is overheated and does not get cooled down, you can end up getting extremely ill. There are various symptoms that people exhibit as their internal body temperature rises. This can include stuff like feeling lightheaded or thirsty. After a while, you may experience increasing tiredness or even hallucinate. As the condition begins to reach the point of heat stroke, you will cease to sweat.
Sweating is one of the natural mechanisms used by your body to cool down. As the sweat droplets evaporate, the temperature of your skin comes down. If you do not have enough hydration, then you will stop sweating. This is one of the reasons that you need to drink plenty of water, particularly during the summer. Once you lose this ability to self-cool, you are headed down a very dangerous path.
Staying in the shade is a good plan if you are at a party, the beach or any other outdoor activity. Make sure that your seat is made of a breathable material and that the covering helps to repel the heat.You should avoid exercising during the hottest parts of the day unless you are doing so indoors. Running, cycling and similar activities already raise your temperature enough. When the weather is extreme, your body regulation mechanisms have to counter the additional heat from both. This is very taxing on your body and may not even be sustainable. You certainly don’t want to take that kind of risk with your health when your actions indicate you are trying to live a healthy lifestyle.
Make sure that you take the appropriate measures to keep yourself and others that you are responsible for cool and comfortable during the summer, always drinking enough water and avoiding direct sunlight during the middle of the day.