Ah, summer: the season of picnics, beach trips, barbecues…and dangerous heat waves. Every year, an average of 658 deaths nationwide are caused by extreme heat—a deadly weather condition characterized by unusually hot temperatures that last for at least a few days. Sweltering sucks, but you’d better get used to it. Because of climate change, periods of extreme heat are expected to become much more common.
Heat-related deaths aren’t the only consequence of oppressive temps. Over the past decade, there’s been a substantial increase in the number of people treated for heat-induced conditions in emergency rooms, says Rebecca Noe, MPH, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control. The most dangerous of these include heat exhaustion, which happens when there’s a plunge in sodium levels due to excess sweating; and heatstroke, which occurs when you get so hot, your body can no longer cool itself down without medical intervention.
You’d think that with cold drinks and AC available pretty much everywhere, extreme heat isn’t something that should be on your radar. But it needs to be—particularly if you work out outdoors. It can take just minutes for your body to become seriously overheated even if you’re only being moderately active; and this can set you up for heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
If you can’t bear the thought of working out in a gym, cut your heat-related illness odds by taking a few precautions, such as getting your sweat on early in the a.m. or closer to dusk, when temps are cooler. Wear loose clothes, and switch to cooler activities, such as swimming or hiking in the mountains, says Noe. And of course, swill lots of liquids while you're being active or working out outside—about two to four eight-ounce cups of water or another low-sugar, caffeine-free beverage per hour—whether you’re thirsty or not. Seem extreme? It's not really since you'll be sweating out that amount of liquid, says Noe, but staying hydrated and sipping consistently is what's important—so you don't need to stress over the exact amount of water you're drinking.
And what if you don’t work out outdoors? You can still get overheated—so you should be aware of the symptoms (for your sake and in case you spot them in friends). They include heavy sweating; feeling weak or faint; pale, clammy skin; rapid resting heart rate; or even nausea or vomiting. If you notice any of these, immediately loosen your clothes (or your friend’s) and seek shade, cold water, and/or a blasting AC. If symptoms continue, head to the ER—heatstroke is a medical emergency.
The verdict: Heat-related health conditions caused by stretches of crazy-high temps are a concern for anyone who spends time outdoors or sans AC—but it can be extra dangerous if you’re exercising outside. In either case, it’s smart to take a few precautions to stay as safe as possible.