What is heat exhaustion?

Long periods in the sun can take its toll after a while and can lead to heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is caused by a loss of salt and water from the body, usually through excessive sweating.

It develops slowly and usually happens to people who aren’t used to hot, humid weather. If you’re at a festival, a sports match or an outdoor event and it’s very hot, it’s easy to suffer from heat exhaustion.  Prevention is best, so always try to stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water (but not too much, drink to thirst), wear light and loose-fitting clothing and remember a wide-brimmed sun hat and sun cream. 

Try to keep out of the direct sun during the hottest part of the day, from 11am to 3pm.  Heat exhaustion isn't always caused by weather and can be a consquence of the body producing more heat than it case lose during vigorous and/or endurance exercise. 

Some prescribed medication can make people more susceptible to heat illness (for example, Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors like Sertraline and Tricyclic Antidepressants like Amitryptaline).  Recreational drugs such as ecstasy can also affect a person's ability to regulate their temperature.  It is important to spot and treat heat exhaustion, so that the more serious condition, heatstroke, doesn't develop.

Signs and symptoms

How to spot heat exhaustion:

• Headache
• Dizziness and confusion
• Loss of appetite and feeling sick
• Sweating with pale clammy skin
• Cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
• Fast, weakening pulse and rapid breathing