The San Fernando Valley is all too familiar with triple-digit temperatures. While the summer brings scorching heat, it also brings the threat of heat exhaustion.
But what are the symptoms? How can you tell the difference between simply overheating or entering dangerous heat-related illness?
Heat exhaustion is a slow buildup of bodily reactions to one’s body overheating that include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, extreme thirst and fatigue. While the body’s natural response to cooling down is to sweat, excess sweating can lead to dehydration and the loss of fluids doesn’t allow your body to function properly. Thus, one might feel faint, lightheaded or experience nausea and headaches.
If these symptoms aren’t immediately rectified, then heat exhaustion occurs. Heatstroke is classified by a temperature over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, confusion and trouble speaking and flushed skin that can either feel moist or dry.
The most immediate solution to heatstroke is to get somewhere cooler and rehydrate as much as possible. Grab a sports drink with electro-lytes to replenish those you lost while sweating.
Excess sweating also purges the body of sodium so experts advise eating a salty snack while rehydrating.
Additionally, it can be helpful to wet your skin, then fan it off to mimic the cooling reaction of sweating and allowing your body temperature to lower.
As usual, the best step to combat heat exhaustion is to plan ahead by drinking plenty of water when temperatures soar, continuously reapplying sunscreen and limiting your time in the sun as much as possible.
If heat exhaustion symptoms persist and you can’t seem to cool your body, seek medical help immediately.
