What to Take With Your Water to Avoid Heat Stroke

Every summer, the problem seems to be growing. More and more people are dying from a problem that is 100% preventable. The problem?

It’s heat stroke. More people die from heat-related causes in the U.S. than from all other weather disasters. And it’s already hot across the western part of the U.S., so we’ll likely see big problems this summer.

And, as with other disasters, the most vulnerable are infants, the elderly, and the sick. So, it’s one more reason for us all to stay strong and healthy as we pile more and more candles on our birthday cakes.

Heat stroke results from prolonged exposure to temperatures over 100 degrees combined with exertion and dehydration. These conditions basically lead to body temperatures that overwhelm our temperature control systems.

The early signs of impending heat stroke are lightheadedness, dizziness, lack of sweating despite the heat, dark urine, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, and rapid heartbeat. And it can sneak up on you, so be careful. Besides dehydration and heavy exercise, there are other factors that make you more vulnerable to the heat.

People with heart, lung, or kidney disease, people who are overweight or underweight, and those with high blood pressure, diabetes, sickle cell traits, alcoholism, and sunburn are more vulnerable. Alcohol, antihistamines, diet pills, diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, stimulants, seizure medications, heart and blood pressure medications (especially beta-blockers and vasoconstrictors), and antidepressants and antipsychotics can also make you particularly susceptible to the heat.

So, if you have any of these conditions and/or are taking any of these drugs, be extra careful. That’s the bad news. But here’s the good news. As I said above, it is 100% preventable.

Don’t let yourself become dehydrated. Drink at least two liters of water every day, whether you feel thirsty or not.

If you’re going out in the heat, drink twice that much. Don’t wait until you have symptoms or feel thirsty. And, because heat stroke can result from salt and electrolyte depletion, make sure to add some electrolyte salts to your water.

A really good electrolyte combination is called Lyteshow. You can get it online. If you plan on exercising in the heat this summer, make sure that you drink 24 ounces of water with electrolytes before you start and another 24 ounces every hour afterward.