How to protect your body from the heat this summer

PRINCETON (WVNS) – Hot and humid weather can be a risk if you spend a lot of time outside.

Heat exhaustion can take a toll on you before you know it.

While you are spending time outside this summer, it is vital to consider how heat can affect your body.

59News traveled to WVU Medicine/Princeton Community Hospital to learn about the key signs of heat exhaustion.

Dr. Steven Stefancic, Emergency Medicine Physician at WVU Medicine/Princeton Community Hospital, said there are many signs of heat exhaustion, but one sign can be the most concerning.

“Signs and symptoms of that could be just fatigue, headache…fatigue is a fancy word for being tired. Some people sweat, when people get to the point of dehydration where they stop sweating. That is an area to be concerned about. Sometimes folks can have muscle cramps,” said Dr. Stefancic.

Heat exhaustion can sometimes lead to a heat stroke.

Symptoms of heat stroke include confusion, slurred speech, nausea, dizziness and vomiting.

Heat stroke can even be fatal if you do not get out of the heat quickly enough.

Dr. Stefancic said everyone has a limit on what they can take but sometimes it can go too far.

“As long as you are keeping yourself hydrated and not getting over heated. If you find yourself getting to the point of passing out, you’ve passed the point where you probably need to take a break. That’s when folks tend to come see us at the hospital. If anybody feels like they are going to pass out or so weak that they can’t continue, that can easily be the early symptoms of a medical emergency for which they need to seek care,” said Dr. Stefancic to 59News.

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