As temperatures begin to soar into the summer, it’s important to recognize the symptoms and causes of heat exhaustion, officials said Monday.

“Once summer is in full swing, there will be a high risk of heat-related illnessses,” said Kathy Hoxsie of the National Weather Service, “and in these situations people need to check on friends and family frequently.”

With numerous summer camps, sporting events, and outdoor activities going on, everyone should be aware of heat exhaustion, and how to prevent it.

These tips for prevention should be taken into account especially when participating in any strenuous outdoor activity.

The following is a list of ways to prevent heat exhaustion:

• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Excess, dark or tight clothing holds in heat and doesn’t let your body cool properly because it inhibits sweat evaporation.
• Avoid sunburn. If you’re going to be outdoors, wear a lightweight, wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella to protect yourself from the sun, and apply sunscreen to any exposed skin. Having a sunburn reduces your body’s ability to rid itself of heat.
• Seek a cooler place. Being in an air-conditioned building, even for just a few hours, is one of the best ways to prevent heat exhaustion. If your home doesn’t have an air conditioner, consider spending time at a library or shopping mall. At the very least, find a well-shaded spot. Fans alone aren’t adequate to counter high heat and humidity.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated will help your body sweat and maintain a normal body temperature. If your doctor has told you to limit fluids because of a health condition, be sure to check with him or her about how much extra you need to drink when the temperature rises. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
• Take extra precautions with certain medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether the medications you take make you more susceptible to heat exhaustion and, if so, what you can do to keep your body from overheating.
• Avoid hot spots. On a hot day, the temperature in your parked car can rise 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. Let your car cool off before you drive it. Never leave children or anyone else in a parked car in hot weather for any period of time.
• Let your body acclimate to the heat. If you travel to somewhere hot, or the temperatures suddenly jump in your area, it can take several weeks for your body to get used to the heat. You’ll still need to take precautions, but working or exercising in heat should become more tolerable. If you’re on vacation, you probably don’t have several weeks to wait, but it’s a good idea to wait at least a few days before attempting vigorous activity in the heat.

Click here for the full article from The Mayo Clinic

The Mayo Clinic recommends that you don’t workout in extreme temperatures, but if you must, be sure to rest often, and drink plenty of fluids.

Some heat exhaustion symptoms include dizziness, nausea, cold skin, muscle cramps, headaches, and weakness or fatigue.

If you, or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, move that person out of the heat, elevate their legs slightly, remove all tight clothing, and have the person drink cold water.

If anyone faints, experiences confusion, or has a seizure, you should call 911 immediately.

For the full article on symptoms and treatment, click here.