"Body Heat" sizzled with the passions of Kathleen Turner and William Hurt. But when the summer sun cranks up its power, you need to be on the lookout for more than betrayal and deceit. If you're active outdoors, hydrate regularly: Don't wait until you're thirsty, don't take salt tablets unless your doc says to, and take breaks to cool down every 30 minutes. Meanwhile, watch out for these heat-related complications:

• Heat syncope triggers a woozy, dizzy feeling; people taking beta blockers, a type of antihypertensive medication, are at increased risk. Get into a cool area and rest with your legs up; drink cool liquids; call a doc if the world feels out of focus.

• Heat cramps can come from working or playing in the heat. If your skin gets cool and damp, and muscles tighten up, get into a cool area. Drink water or a sports drink with electrolytes; put cold packs on wrists or neck.

• Heat edema makes ankles and feet swell. Get into a cool area. Elevate legs, drink cool fluids. If the swelling doesn't ease, call the doctor.

• Heat exhaustion is a warning: You're headed toward heat stroke! You may be dizzy, weak, and nauseated; have a rapid heartbeat; and be sweaty and chilly at the same time. Get into a cool area. Drink cool liquids and get emergency medical care if you don't feel better very soon.

• Heat stroke causes a rapid heartbeat, plummeting blood pressure, and problems breathing: Call 911 pronto! This is life-threatening. Get horizontal in a cool environment until help arrives.


© 2012 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.