The temperatures may be pleasant now in Solano County, but just wait. You know summer will be here in a few months, and with it the ever-rising mercury. Don’t let heat exhaustion burn out your love of summer. Make sure you recognize signs of trouble as you head outdoors for fun and exercise.

Heat exhaustion happens when your body overheats to the point that it can no longer regulate your temperature. It can be caused by physical activity when it’s hot outside or simply by living in a hot environment without adequate access to water.

Your body cools itself by sweating. This requires enough fluid in the body to make sweat, air circulating across the skin, and low enough air humidity to allow that sweat to evaporate. You can avoid heatrelated illness by drinking plenty of fluids, protecting yourself against sunburn and wearing loose-fitting, lightweight clothing.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include profuse sweating, nausea and vomiting, weakness, headache, lightheadedness and muscle cramps. First aid treatment for heat exhaustion includes recognizing the symptoms, stopping the activity, and moving to a cooler environment. Rehydration with water or a sports drink is the cornerstone of treatment for heat exhaustion.

If the activity is not stopped and you remain in a hot environment, your heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, a life-threatening emergency.

You may have heat stroke if changes in your mental status occur, including confusion, lethargy, seizure, or coma. Get help immediately.