Warning signs, symptoms and tips: How to stay safe in the heat [Video]

(WGN) — Extreme heat doesn’t just zap our energy, it can also damage vital organs in our bodies, including the brain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To help you stay safe amid scorching temperatures this summer, here are a few things you should know:

Dr. Andrew Costello, an emergency medicine physician with Endeavor Health in Chicago, said it’s important to drink fluids, like water and sports drinks, before your summer activities.

“If you are exerting yourself playing sports, and you don’t pre-treat by drinking a lot of fluids… it may be hard to catch up with the losses that occur when you sweat a lot,” Costello said.

The goal is to keep your electrolytes in balance as you sweat to help regulate your blood pressure and heart rate. Costello explained that excessive heat can cause vasodilation, which occurs when your blood vessels expand and allow more blood to …