Heat exhaustion or heatstroke can develop quickly over a few minutes, or gradually over several hours or days.
Signs of heat exhaustion can include:
tiredness and weakness
feeling faint or dizzy
a decrease in blood pressure
a headache
muscle cramps
feeling and being sick
heavy sweating
intense thirst
a fast pulse
urinating less often and having much darker urine than usual
If left untreated, more severe symptoms of heatstroke can develop, including confusion, disorientation, seizures (fits) and a loss of consciousness.
How to prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke can often be prevented by taking sensible precautions when it's very hot.
During the summer, check for heatwave warnings, so you're aware when there's a potential danger. The government uses a system called Heat-Health Watch to warn people about the chances of a heatwave. This is a system of four different warning levels based on the expected temperature.
Stay out of the heat
Keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.
If you have to go out in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat and light scarf.
Avoid extreme physical exertion.
Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes.
If you're travelling to a hot country, be particularly careful for at least the first few days, until you get used to the temperature.
Cool yourself down
Have plenty of cold drinks, and avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks.
Eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit with a high water content.
Take a cool shower or bath.
Sprinkle water over your skin or clothing, or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck.
If you’re not urinating frequently or your urine is dark, it's a sign that you're becoming dehydrated and need to drink more.
My DH is a welder, i have to make sure i keep the house cool and that the fans are on. He is very likely to get heat exhaustion today, and thats a fully grown healthy adult working in a business who are VERY vigilant over the health of their staff during heatwaves with regular breaks, iced water provided....etc
I went to get my DS from school and his classroom was diabolically hot, i couldn't bear it for 5 minutes, never mind all day!