If you’re out in the heat this summer and begin to feel thirsty, dizzy, or nauseous, that’s a sign that you may be developing heat illness. Heat exhaustion is the milder form, but once you exceed your body’s ability to cool itself down, you’re at risk for heat stroke, which is a medical emergency.
The first step is to recognize those early symptoms, which can include dizziness or feeling faint, nausea, cramps, and headache. Do whatever you can to cool down: Get into the shade or, better yet, the air conditioning. You can pour water onto yourself, and have a cold drink. If you still feel awful, or if you get so hot that you stop sweating, call 911.
