Overview
- Medical experts warn that heat heavily strains the body and that adults should drink at least 1.5 to 2 liters of fluid a day with higher intakes recommended during heat or physical activity.
- Sweating causes loss of water plus sodium and potassium so people who feel faint, confused, or very dizzy need urgent medical help for possible severe dehydration.
- At home, ventilate in the cooler morning or evening, keep blinds partly closed to block direct sun while allowing airflow, and use fans to boost the cooling effect of sweat.
- Choose lukewarm drinks and water-rich, light meals such as melon, cucumber and tomatoes because very cold beverages give only brief relief and force the body to warm them.
- Avoid jumping into cold water or sudden full cold immersion when overheated because that shock can raise heart rate and blood pressure and trigger dangerous heart rhythms in at-risk people.