We have all experienced the feelings and discomfort which arise from the harrowing heat waves which we all encounter here in the UK and a broad. They can come on us suddenly and unexpectedly and cause serious tragedy if we are not alerted to the dangers and the precautions and remedies we can put into place. It's always b est to have prior knowledge.

Too much UVlight whether it's the sun or the sun bed can cause skin pro b lems even though the UV light is good for our bodies in general in many ways. But the affects of heat on our bodies and their ability to cope with it are enormous. The dangers of heatstroke and more commonly dehydration are less widely known to us .Even in the less powerful heat of the UK we can still experience the symptoms of heatstroke at a particularly hot time. Children especially are vulnerable and the elderly.

Sunstroke or heatstroke is an illnes which is caused by prolonged exposure to very hot temeratures or by dehydration;the lack of enough fluid in the body.In some cases the body fails to regulate its own temerature mechanisms properly.

Here are some points to consider:

1 - A rise in temperature of a couple of degrees from the body's normal temperature can have a great effect on the metabolism and the way it works
2 - Symptoms of dizziness,fatigue,headache,rapid pulse,rapid breathing,muscle cramps, sickness,lack of sweating,too much sweating,weakness,trembling,droopiness, present themselves when overexposed to hot temps.
3 - Heat exhaustion
4 - Warning signs are hot flushed skin,no sweating,high temp,confusion,loss of concsiousness
5 - Exposure to normal heat and obvious extreme heat can present relevant symptons for the potentially dangerous sunstroke
6 - Exposure to extreme heat can cause breakdown in the body's ability to reduce its own temperature through sweating. Body temp can reach 107degrees
7 - Dehydration causes body's inability to cool itself through sweat evaporation, which is serious
8 - Failure of vital organs:heart,lungs,kidney, brain is possible
9 - Shock and unconsciousness are a real possibilty
10- Cooling down as soon as possibleby going into cold water helps remedy heatsroke but hospital treatment recommended urgently
11- If symptoms of heat exhaustion are present but person is still sweating,drinks advised but not salt pills

Drinking plenty water is best for the body to help keep hydrated and especially for children who need constant observation when in hot temperatures.

Children are vulnerable.

If in doubt get hospital treatment as soon as possible.