Preventing heat exhaustion is important summer safety goal [Video]

Heat exhaustion is the most common type of heat illness. It occurs when someone is exposed to high levels of heat and is unable to successfully manage the heat, leading to weakness, headache, nausea, vomiting and other similar symptoms.

Heat exhaustion is potentially serious for anyone, but especially for older adults, young children and people with serious chronic illnesses, such as significant heart failure or emphysema. Left untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke — the most serious form of heat illness — which can cause death. Here is what you can do to reduce your risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, as well as what to do if you or a loved one begins experiencing this summer condition.

Beating the heat

Avoiding heat exhaustion begins with being aware of the conditions outside. The best measure to determine your risk is the heat index, which is best described as what the …