Why do hot temperatures make me feel sick?!

[alllo]

As the temperatures are rising, it's starting again - I am feeling nauseous (actually "could throw up" nausea, not nerves) and my head feels all spacey and sort of detached.

It's always been like this as long as I can remember and I'm vaguely ready for it for the rest of this week now. I live my life trying to stay cool - never go on holiday in hot places, window films on windows, small air conditioner, drinks, salts etc etc etc - it's something I'm borderline obsessed with as heat makes me feel so ill.

But I am so thoroughly sick of it. I wish I could enjoy warm weather for a change like a normal person.

Does anyone know why - is my body deficient in something? If you have a magic solution, I will try it!

Are you hydrating enough? You need to stay in the shade and get plenty of water.

(I'm not overweight or unfit by the way - I have a bmi of 18.5, do 30k steps on most days, and exercise 5 times a week.)

Thanks for replying @FatAgainItsLettuceTime, yes I avoid the sun and drink loads and loads of water (with some salts and sugar stirred in).

You might need to drink more it sounds like you might be dehydrated or heat stroke .when you feel ill like that eat something salty crisps or a cracker drink water.

do you have an autoimmune condition or history of them in your family?

30k steps a day??

I’m exactly the same! I love the sun, I’d love to enjoy it but I end up hiding away being nauseous instead.

I drink so much too.

I think it’s the brightness and migraine related but without the headache. But I don’t know how or why (I’m under neurology anyway, but my consultant never thinks it’s an issue!)

I'm eating salty snacks and drinking, honest. It still keeps going. It's obviously not the end of the world but it's such a drag and I'd love to fix it somehow.

No autoimmune issues that I know of. My mum has myasthenia gravis but that's the only thing I can think of.

@lurchermummy yes - I used to be very sedentary but exercise has turned my life around, I love it. I normally go for long walks every morning and evening.

@RosieandJimonLSD it's so strange and rubbish isn't it!

Wow that’s interesting! I’m currently being tested for that!! It’s so rare as well

Hugs and cool wet flannels to you. :(

The reason it might be associated with nausea is the cooling mechanism that draws blood to the skin, also means it deprives the internal organs of some - you might just be extra sensitive to that.

@Saisong that's interesting. I've often struggled with anaemia in the past, I wonder if that could be connected there with blood issues? Maybe I'll get my iron levels checked again.

I’m exactly the same! Always have been. Feeling very spaced out at the moment and sort of like it’s harder to focus (not exactly blurry vision but just more effort to look at stuff if that makes sense!) but I always get this when it’s hot. My optician said it’s due to my astigmatism and eye strain/dry eyes during the heat… as for the nausea I’ve always put it down to having low blood pressure and the heat seems to make it drop even more.

roll on autumn!

@Foreverbaffled oh thank you for posting (although I'm sorry you struggle too). I have low blood pressure and terrible astigmatism as well so maybe that's it!

So, more salt in diet and ... nothing I guess, just accepting that my eyes are a bit crap

Maybe autonomic dysfunction? Eg postural tachycardia syndrome? Causes low and variable blood pressure. Increasing salt intake helps and liquid too.

I was going ask about your blood pressure. The cooling effect of blood going closer to the skin can lower blood pressure. If it's already low to begin with then that's why you feel so ill.

Monitor your pressure during the heat and then go see your gp. They might be able to give medication to raise your blood pressure.

Thank you @Namechange600@stackhead, that's really helpful. We bought a blood pressure monitor way back when during covid, I'll dig it out and keep an eye on it then give the GP a call once this week is over.

It would be amazing if I could fix this somehow and join the rest of the world in rejoicing in sunshine