How to Deal with the Heat

When it's hot, most people know to drink plenty of fluids and avoid exercising outside. But if you drink that iced latte, do you risk dehydration from the caffeine? And what can you do about heatstroke? Here are answers to five frequently asked questions on how to beat the heat:

Q: What should I do if I think someone has heatstroke?

A: If someone near you has symptoms of heatstroke (rapid pulse, dizziness, nausea, confusion or unconsciousness), call for medical help. Then get the victim into the shade and cool his body fast by spraying him with a hose or pouring cups of water on him. Stay in one place while you wait for an ambulance.

Q: Do caffeine and alcohol really dehydrate you?

A: Yes, but you probably won't feel the difference just by drinking a Coke. Caffeine and alcohol do make your body lose water by increasing blood flow to the kidneys and slowing the rate at which your body absorbs sodium. However, caffeinated and alcoholic beverages are mostly water, so that midday soda or after-work beer won't make you feel sick. Nevertheless, stay away from anything with a high concentration of caffeine or alcohol. Espresso, for example, has about 100 milligrams of caffeine in just
50 milliliters of water.

Q: If it's humid outside, will opening doors and windows make my house warmer or cooler?

A: If the temperature outside is significantly higher than the temperature in your home, keep the windows and doors closed.

Q: What foods make me feel coolest?

A: Ice cream seems like the natural choice when it's hot, but sorbet or a popsicle makes you feel cooler and less sluggish. Hot foods and heavy meals create heat to metabolize them.

Q: How do I get used to the heat?

A: It takes two or three weeks of living in hot weather for your body to adapt. In time, your body will start to sweat more, which will help you cool faster, and it will excrete less salt. Your heart rate will be lower, which means your body is working less to perform the same tasks. However, a period of cooler weather will erase the acclimatization process, so if the temperature drops for more than a day or two, you'll have to start from square one.