Dr. A.J. Smally, medical director of emergency medicine at Hartford Hospital, talks about the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses including heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and what you can do to prevent them.
The most important thing you can do when you are out in hot weather is drink plenty of fluids. By the time you are thirsty, your body is already dehydrated, so it’s best to drink before you get thirsty.
Smally says avoid drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol while out in the sun. The best drinks are water or flavored sports drinks. Adults should drink two to three cups of fluid before going out in the heat, three more cups within the first two hours of going outside, and one to two more cups for every 10 to 20 minutes of strenuous activity.