Is it normal to feel unwell in the heat?

[Faint1]

I’m in London and it’s been hot for a while this summer, following all general advice and staying hydrated. Also trying not to overexert myself in this weather but I’ve still been feeling pretty rough and unwell for a while now. Constantly seem to have a dull headache in background (gets worse when exerting myself or overheating). On hotter days (29c or higher) I feel really close to fainting

Today I worked from home (didn’t exert myself and it was max of 28c inside so not the worst). Around 7pm I decided to to take the bus just to go to the supermarket (shouldn’t be that taxing) however en route I started feeling really dizzy and panicked about passing out, I got off the bus early to stand inside corner shop with ac for a bit. I then carry on my journey and make it to the supermarket etc but it still feels pretty stressful and I feel weak and unwell with headache. Sipping water or snacking for energy doesn’t help reduce symptoms much. I don’t even know how I luckily managed to make it home as thought at some point may need to call taxi due to faintness and feeling unwell.

As soon as I got in I stripped off and took lukewarm shower, now just lying down because I feel so exhausted and my headache still hasn’t fully recovered. Thankfully less dizzy from lying tho

This is just today’s example but I’ve been feeling very similar for a while now with this long summer. Is it normal to feel like this in heat? I’m young-ish and very lean

Wjat can I do to cope better and feel normal

It’s quite scary when feeling like I’m about to pass out tbh

I've been feeling really naff this year in the heat - didn't know that about low blood pressure, thanks to those who mentioned it - I tend that way and have found drinking more helps, even when I think I already am, and electrolyte stuff not just water.

Also my heat tolerance has been rubbish since menopause ten years ago - I thought the hot flashes would go, but nah... I also have autoimmune stuff, and that can hit you in surprising ways...

But I see you're young, OP... If I went to a GP they'd laugh me out, but they may take you more seriously if you're worried about it.

Op do you suffer with migraines.

The heat makes mine worse, the heat alone makes me feel ill.

OP, Racing heart is cos your body’s working harder to regulate itself cos it’s too hot.

It’s completely normal & harmless. You can counter the jitters with 10 min of deep breathing (nhs exercises are good). Do them too while walking, calms you down mentally and physiologically.

Knock off the caffeine for now and do 10 min of breathing in the mornings. Lie in your right side in bed at night so you don’t get distracted by heartbeat.

I’s second the idea of getting a blood pressure monitor get your bloods and definitely iron levels checked.

Could you have POTS

https://www.potsuk.org/about-pots/symptoms/

Get a blood pressure monitor to check yourself daily. All sounds heat related but just knowing your BP would be a good place to start and might be reassuring.

Have you drank plenty of water?

It’s still 28c in my flat, as soon as I start to exert myself eg house chores tidying things away I’m exhausted and fatigued so have to lie down again

Last blood test I had was around March and didnt have low iron then but appreciate things may have changed.

Thanks to pp who have mentioned it could be low blood pressure. Just curious how do w keep blood pressure normal /raise it. I drink plenty of water and have avoided alcohol during these hot months

I mean I think it depends. When we last had a heatwave it was 27 in my living room and that was too much for me and I did feel ill. I'm quite sensitive to the heat though.

I do get migraines but luckily not very often. I can go a while without one, but then I last had one around two weeks ago

Add in the fact that pollen levels have been really high and may be affecting those who don't usually suffer. There's a much wider range of symptoms than you might think. Seeing if an antihistamine gives any relief is worth a go.

I’ve felt like that when it gets to 30 and over. Properly unwell. I’m on an SSRI, which apparently can exacerbate it. I’m also 51, which doesn’t help, with anything really!

I find that drinking small sips of water as I’m walking around outside (eg unavoidable walk from the Tube) helps a lot, rather than one big drink once in a while.

It’s 11.30 but barely any breeze here, stood outside to try and cool down. Head still hurts and got that same overall unwell feeling

I’ve also sipped on water with rehydration sachet

I have suffered the same and always have every gruelling summer. The headache, nausea, depression and lack of sleep which of course leads to exhaustion and dizzy spells. Haven’t felt fully well since the end of May. I have had to look at a massive lifestyle overhaul inasmuch as rearranging my whole life around future July months, ensuring that moving forwards I am in a position to take off the whole of July if necessary. This is partly medical advice as without fail I have a physical and mental breakdown in July due to the heat and lack of sleep.

I feel just like this. My blood pressure is always on the lower side, I wonder if that is something to do with it

I've found this summer that I don't really want to do much because I hate the idea of getting stuck out in the sun somewhere

Might be a good idea to get your thyroid levels checked. I have always struggled in the heat, but I have a thyroid problem now and I think that makes it worse.
I am also wondering if like pp you have had heat exhaustion and so that’s making you continue to struggle. Some people definitely seem to be more vulnerable to heat.

I think the problem is in the UK that there is no escape. Even my local shopping mall has no air con! I actually find it worse being inside at times.

We were lucky enough to get an air con unit, and it has made such a difference, especially at night. When they are in stock again, I would highly recommend investing in one. Worth every penny.

I feel a little like you but mine is a panic thing . I feel like I’m smothering !!!! If I think I can’t access the cool I also feel faint . I am a fainter though so that may be part of it . Thankfully I live in Dublin so it’s never too hot .

How much water are you drinking? Increase it to see if that has a positive effect. With this heat, I am finding that I have to drink much more because I am sweating much more!

Can I ask is it low thyroid as I’m having a blood test later and that’s one of the things they’re testing because I’m so ill in this heat every year

I feel like I’ve constantly got a headache I do get migraines but this is more of a dull headache that’s just there feels like the sort you get with a cold and I just feel washed out.Also I’ve never been someone who sweats until this year ( could be my age )
I was up at 7.00 this morning took the dog for a walk then came home popped to Sainsbury’s to get some bits then came back had my breakfast then I just felt so tired I was having a job keeping my eyes open. I’ve never felt like this in the heat before.
Hope it passes soon @Faint1

I think people are being unfair to you OP, I feel exactly the same. It is consistently 28-30 degrees in my house (I WFH) and I have felt unwell since the heatwave. Over 25 i start to struggle, and near 30 I feel like i'm constantly overheating. I love the cold weather though, and am fine in winter when the majority of people are struggling.

Yes, but hyperthyroid can struggle as well. I think it is harder to thermoregulate with a thyroid issue.

I get ocular migraine in hot weather. Lucky not to have any pain with them, but if I go out for too long in the full sunshone, they come on, so I end up spending more time indoors when the weather is warm than when it's cool.

Hello, I suffer from this too, I'm in Italy, we have very hot temps but it can happen to me even at 25°c. Heat makes blood pressure drop but also blood sugar too, I get the exact symptoms you describe, it is scary when you are alone and think you might faint. The headache after lasts a day with me.

We have magnesium + potassium drinks that replace the electrolytes, tons of people use them in the heat, a quick google tells me that Dioralyte will do the same thing. The Dr told me to drink some orange juice ( even a can of fizzy stuff will do) as a quick fix if blood sugar is low but to avoid coke and caffeine.
Make sure you drink plenty of water too.