*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature M: MRSA.

Heat Exhaustion Heatstroke

Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical help if you can cool down within 30 minutes. If it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency.

Check for signs of heat exhaustion

The signs of heat exhaustion include:

tiredness
dizziness
headache
feeling sick or being sick
excessive sweating and skin becoming pale and clammy or getting a heat rash, but a change in skin colour can be harder to see on brown and black skin
cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
fast breathing or heartbeat
a high temperature
being very thirsty
weakness

The symptoms of heat exhaustion are often the same in adults and children, although children may become irritable too.

If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion they need to be cooled down and given fluids.

Things you can do to cool someone down

If someone has heat exhaustion, follow these 4 steps:

Move them to a cool place.
Remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks.
Get them to drink a sports or rehydration drink, or cool water.
Cool their skin - spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs, wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck are good too.

Stay with them until they're better.

They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.

Contact 111 if:

you or someone else have symptoms of heat exhaustion that you're struggling to treat or you need advice about

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Call 999 now if:

You or someone else have signs of heatstroke, including:

still unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place, being cooled and drinking fluids
a very high temperature
hot skin that's not sweating and might look red (this can be harder to see on brown and black skin)
a fast heartbeat
fast breathing or shortness of breath
confusion and lack of coordination
a seizure or fit
loss of consciousness

Put the person in the recovery position if they lose consciousness while you're waiting for help.

Preventing heat exhaustion and heatstroke

There's a high risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke during hot weather or exercise.

To help prevent heat exhaustion or heatstroke:

drink more cold drinks, especially if you're active or exercising
wear light-coloured, loose clothing
avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm
avoid excess alcohol
avoid extreme exercise
if you're inside on a very hot day, close curtains, close windows if it's hotter outside than in your home and turn off electrical equipment and lights that get hot

This will also prevent dehydration and help your body keep itself cool.

Children, older people and people with long-term health conditions (such as diabetes or heart problems) are more at risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

Read more about what do to and how to cope in hot weather.

Find out about dehydration

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature M: MRSA. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.