Staying healthy IN THE HEAT

Don't get caught out this summer. Here's how you can be safe - and keep cool 

- TANYA PEAREY

A bit of sun is good for us. It helps achy joints, ups vital vitamin D levels and has that feel-good factor that will boost our mood. But overdo your time in the sun or get too hot and it can cause problems.

When it's hot, seek shade and hydration, advises Woman's Weekly GP Dr Gill Jenkins. Keep out of the sun when it's at its hottest - 11am-3pm - and avoid physical activity. Regularly drink clear cool fluids and avoid alcohol, which worsens dehydration,' says Dr Gill.

OVERHEATING

'Heat exhaustion causes extreme tiredness from decreased blood pressure and blood volume, says Dr Gill. 'It's caused by a loss of body fluids after prolonged heat exposure.' Symptoms include nausea, feeling faint and sweating heavily. If you start getting any of these symptoms on a warm day, go immediately to a cool place and drink plenty of water. And remove excess clothing. You should improve within half an hour with no complications.

Heatstroke is more serious than heat exhaustion, and occurs when the body's temperature becomes dangerously high and the body is no longer able to cool itself. 'The elderly and people with diabetes, kidney, heart or circulation problems are more at risk,' says Dr Gill.

Signs of heatstroke include dry skin, dizziness, confusion and a high temperature, headache, thirst, nausea, rapid shallow breathing and muscle cramps. Heatstroke is a medical emergency, so dial 999 for an ambulance.