Battling Heat Stroke? Here’s What To Look For

Staying healthy in the summer months is all about watching your time in the sun. While afternoons spent in hot gardens and beaches can be what summer is all about, if you spend too much time in the sun’s rays, you can end up putting your health at risk. Heat stroke affects thousands of people each year and knowing how to look out for can prevent you from suffering from the condition. Enjoy the summer, but don’t forget that safety comes before anything else.

1. Nausea and Headaches

(source: everydayhealth.com)

Not sure if you’re a little hot or if there is something more at play? Try taking a closer look at your symptoms. If you start to feel waves of nausea or cramping in your stomach, it can be a sign that the heat is starting to affect your body internally. A sudden onset of sickness or headaches can be a sign that your body is becoming seriously dehydrated and is in need of a fresh water supply. If the day is hot and you’re outside, make sure you’re drinking enough; you don’t want to put your health at risk.

2. Thirst and Heavy Sweating

(source: menshealth.com)

It’s perfectly normal to feel thirsty when the temperatures rise but if your thirst is unquenchable, it could be a sign of a deeper problem. Heavy sweating and sudden thirst are both signs that your body is producing a lot of extra heat, which could eventually lead to heat stroke or exhaustion. Sipping water throughout the day can help to combat symptoms and if you’re spending a lot of time in the sun, try drinking a sports drink to replenish your lost electrolytes.

3. Dark Colored Urine

(source: healthdirect.gov.au)

The less you urinate when it’s hot out, the more dehydrated that you could be. If you’ve been outside for long stretches of time and are not needing to urinate, it’s worth upping your water consumption to give your body a flush of liquid. Similarly, if your urine is darker in color when you do go to the bathroom, it is also a sign that your body has become dehydrated. Drink more water and stay out of the sun as much as you can.

4. Weakness and Dizziness

(source: medicalnewstoday.com)

Sun gone to your head? It could be an early sign of heat stroke. Exhaustion from the heat can often result in feelings of dizziness and weakness, making it harder for you to carry out your normal activities. The hotter you get, the more common these symptoms can be so try stepping out of the sun and having a quick rest.

5. Confusion and Convulsions

(source: safebee.com)

If things get really bad, your body can begin to react in ways you might never have experienced before. When heat stroke progresses around your body, it can end up in your brain, resulting in confusion and convulsions the more serious that it becomes. If you start to feel confused, try and find someone to help you. In the worst cases, call the emergency services and follow their advice. Your health should be your number one priority.