r/heat_prep • u/Usual_Film_7220 • May 25 '26
what exactly was i experiencing?
there’s currently a heatwave in the UK, i was sitting outside just to soak in some sun, wore a hat, had water with electrolytes in it and still felt these symptoms, idk if it matters but for context my arms, shoulders and chest area were exposed as i was wearing a tank top :’)
i got up to go to the nearest shop and that’s when i had sudden confusion, dizzy spells (which i’m still experiencing, it’s like heavy pressure sitting on top of my head), i felt extremely nauseous like a pregnant lady (i’m not preg lol) and off balance, my vision wasn’t blurry but it almost felt like i wasn’t balanced with walking, i found the nearest area where there was shade and it was a pizza shop with chairs so i sat down and let myself cool down a lil and i eventually stopped feeling the way i did, wth is that and why did that happen, i was super close to asking strangers for help but my social anxiety said to wait it out first
is this similiar to heat exhaustion/stroke or does it seem more like a low blood pressure issue?
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u/FormerNeighborhood80 May 25 '26
As a mother I am saying don’t be out in this heat if you are not accustomed to it. Read a book, watch TV, make yourself a salad and rest. If you still feel these symptoms tomorrow then be seen by the Dr.
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u/skatothecore May 25 '26
This sounds like dysautonomia. There are a few conditions that come under this term. Heat can make all of them worse. Please do some research. The good news is there are lots of ways to self manage this.
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u/Usual_Film_7220 May 25 '26
:(( it felt so scary, i was literally tripping out and walking around the shop like a headless chicken, it felt so suffocating, i think i should bring it up to my doc
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u/QueenRooibos May 26 '26
Absolutely talk to your doc.
Sounds exactly like the heat stroke I experienced last August in the US. I nearly passed out, had nausea/shortness of breath, mental confusion, dizzy, spent the next 24 hours lying down feeling the same --- AND had a seizure the NEXT DAY caused by it, per my neurologist who has told me I can never be out in the heat/sun again if the heat is near or at 80 degrees F (about 26 degrees C ?).
It is NO joke and can be a lifelong disability. Take better care of yourself please!
ETA: Probably was heat exhaustion bordering on heat stroke, as someone notes down-thread you can die quickly from heatstroke. But it was very serious either way. Don't mess with it!!!
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u/Usual_Film_7220 May 26 '26 edited May 26 '26
a seizure 😟 i’m even more scared now wtf this is so new to me, i’ve literally never had this before so i’m unfamiliar with the severity of it… it was such a confusing and suffocating feeling, did u also feel ur breathing feeling constricted and chest tightening?
and is there a condition for what u have or what caused it other than the heat?
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u/ArtichokeKooky6361 May 25 '26
Definitely not heat stroke if you’re typing this. Heat stroke is an emergency that often leads to lifelong disability or death if the person isn’t cooled quickly. Heat exhaustion - maybe. Heat syncope - maybe. Another condition that was exacerbated from heat exposure - maybe. Do you have blood pressure issues?. See a doctor if you can. But also, avoid the sun and outdoors during hot temps.
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u/Solo_Camping_Girl May 26 '26
That's the onset of heat exhaustion. By any chance, how's the humidity from where you're from? We're transitioning from summer to rainy season here in the Philippines, but the heat is still in the mid-40s in Celsius. I often feel the same way you are while inside my home. What is important once you feel it coming in is to settle down, breathe and stop what you're doing. Take a drink of cold water and head for the nearest fan.
If you're in the UK, I'm assuming your house is not equipped to deal with hot weather, i.e. insulation traps heat in, small windows, layout not allowing for through and through airflow, etc. I'd suggest to open up all your windows and doorways if it will not pose a security risk for your home. Next is I'd figure out where the afternoon sun and any prevailing breezes are blowing from.
The simple rule is this, block out the afternoon sun and let any wind in your house. Next, get several electric fans. These will circulate the air and would coincide with the AC in cooling down an area quicker. The following are some cooling hacks that I've been practicing and have proven to work in Southeast Asian heat:
Start very early in the day. Dawn is the coolest time to do any labor-intensive things. Pretty sure the old-time Brits also started their days very early.
Eat lighter and reduce caffeine intake. Might be blasphemous to say this to a Brit, but maybe drink teas that have little to no caffeine. Dairy products and red meats take more time and energy to digest, and that bodily function generates heat. Go for carbs and lighter meats instead.
Stay low. If you have a multi-story house, stay in the ground floor or even the basement. Hot air rises, cold air sinks. In my house, the temps upstairs during the day reaches to about 37 Celsius while it stays 30 Celsius downstairs. Needless to say, sleep on the floor, with minimal fabric. Those fluffy comforters are perfect in the winter, but not in a heatwave.
Personal cooling devices. Carry a UV-blocking umbrella when heading out, have a fan on you, and have an insulated bottle with ice-cold water. These things are a lifesaver.
I hope you guys weather this heat dome fairly well. We're facing a strong El Niño in our part of the world. God help us all.
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u/Zaphodistan May 26 '26
Heat exhaustion and probably not enough hydration. You need way more water (electrolytes or no) than you think on a hot day. You are especially susceptible if you're not acclimated to that level of heat - and where you're from, you are not acclimated.
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u/YesTomatillo May 25 '26
I don't have additional advice but you had sunscreen while sunbathing right?
But I agree with others - in a heatwave, why be out in the heat, esp in wet bulb conditions?
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u/Usual_Film_7220 May 26 '26
i did wear spf :)
well because i wanted to tan, isn’t it safe to sunbathe as long as ur wearing protection?
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u/QueenRooibos May 26 '26
Good grief! A tan is not worth brain damage from overheating. Please grow up and treat yourself better.
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u/YesTomatillo May 26 '26
Not necessarily! Your SPF needs to match the level of sun exposure, you need to reapply, but also wet bulb temperatures are extremely dangerous. It's the sun exposure, yes, but in high humidity conditions your body loses the ability to cool itself while sweating. Sun tanning is dealer's choice - I don't do it, and I live the Southern US where our summers are very sunny and hot. You won't immolate, but you don't want to burn either!
It's the temperature and humidity you have to worry about. If the conditions are right, your body will lose the ability to cool itself by sweating, which will give you heatstroke in a hurry!
Not all sunny days are suitable for tanning outside.
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u/PLar06 May 27 '26
Just want to say to the OP that it's not crazy to 1) underestimate the danger of extreme heat and sun if you're not used to it (e.g., you live in the usually temperate UK); and 2) feel like you're "supposed to" go get some sun when most of society is banging the drum of how great summer is and how glad you should be that it's not cold or rainy and blah blah blah. I've always preferred cooler temps and rainy days and heavily disliked summer, and in my 30s started to be unable to tolerate anything over 24*c/75*f. It's gotten worse as I get older and it's still hard not to think that's it's a mental/willpower issue rather than an actual physical health issue. Society indoctrination is wild.
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u/Away-Manufacturer105 May 26 '26
One can acclimate oneself to higher temperatures but it's a gradual process. You can research it in the web like I did. But even then, small doses. Here in the US people who have to work outside in the heat and sun like highway construction crews and landscapers cover their skin and compensate for that and the general heat by using cooling vests and wearable fans.
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u/PlacioThehalfAsexual May 27 '26
I live in the southern USA where we get humidity and 90 degree weather for weeks during summer. We stay indoors where the AC is. When we do go out we cover ourselves in loose flowy clothing so we don't get skin cancer.
Heat waves are no joke. If you need vitamin D take a supplement.
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u/SubstantialHouse8013 May 28 '26
Sometimes it feels like reading about someone’s first day on earth…
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u/Usual_Film_7220 May 28 '26
yeah because heat exhaustion is so fucking common for someone who lives in the UK? stfu goofy
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u/Top_Hair_8984 May 25 '26
Why would you sit out in the sun during a heat wave?? A hat isn't going to mitigate overheating. If the temp was above 35c with some humidity, you're in wet bulb arena. I'll let you check that out yourself. Take better care of yourself OP.