Heat exhaustion happens when your body becomes too hot and struggles to regulate its temperature.
An obvious sign is excessive sweating, as well as feeling very hot and unwell – which is your body’s way of warning you to cool down, fast.
Other symptoms include:
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headache
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dizziness and confusion
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loss of appetite and feeling sick
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cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
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fast breathing or pulse
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temperature of 38C or above
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being very thirsty
Young children, who might not be able to tell you about how they are feeling, may become floppy and sleepy.
Heat exhaustion can affect anyone, including fit and healthy people – especially if they have done strenuous exercise in high temperatures or have been drinking alcohol in the sun all day.
It can come on quickly, over minutes, or gradually, over hours.
Some medicines can also make it harder to regulate your temperature, or mean you are more likely to burn in the sun, feel dizzy, or become dehydrated, external.
