It's important to maintain your exercise and fitness program even during hot weather. But you need to be aware of the potential for trouble that can come with extreme weather conditions, so that you won't be one of the thousands who are debilitated by heat-related illness every year.

Heat-related illness happens when your body's cooling system fails. Ordinarily, it keeps you cool by sweating and increasing blood flow. When that doesn't happen, your internal temperature can rise, leading to heat-related illness. There are five stages of heat-related illness:

• Heat edema - your legs swell from prolonged sitting or standing; it may improve with exercise or elevating your legs.
• Heat cramps - these are painful muscle spasms that may be a warning sign of impending heat exhaustion.
• Heat syncope - this is an episode of dizziness that occurs if you stand for a long time or when you get up suddenly from a sitting position. If this happens, you should lie down in a cool area and have something cold to sip.
• Heat exhaustion - symptoms include profuse sweating, headache, weakness, pale and clammy skin, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and chills. This can become serious if not treated promptly by moving to a cool area and applying wet cloths to the body. People with heart or blood pressure problems should seek medical attention promptly.
• Heatstroke, or sunstroke - this critical condition requires emergency medical treatment. It occurs when the internal temperature reaches 106o. Symptoms include a strong fast pulse, confusion, and hot, dry skin with no sweating.

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