Exercising or playing sports can be a wonderful way to spend time outdoors. It is a good way to get some fresh air and keep your body healthy. Some people do not realize, however, that exercising or playing sports-especially in a warmer climate-can become dangerous if you don't know how to properly care for your body.

When you are exercising or participating in a sport, you can be prone myriad health issues, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Just as it is important to make sure your body has the right nutrients and water it needs, it is important to understand the symptoms of heat-related illnesses.

Heat cramps can occur with strenuous exercise, and symptoms include dizziness, increased sweating, and weakness. Heat exhaustion can come on very quickly with increased body temperature, headache, pale skin, and confusion. Heat stroke is even more serious, and symptoms can include hot skin, dry skin, lack of sweat, confusion, and even loss of consciousness.

The best ways to avoid any of these potentially serious problems is stay hydrated. It may also be best to avoid vigorous activity during the hottest part of the day. Make sure that you are dressed appropriately for the weather and wear clothes that are light in color and that do not weigh a lot. Also extremely important is to avoid getting sunburned. Use a sunscreen that had an adequate amount of SPF and reapply frequently if you are in the sun for an extended period of time. If at anytime during your exercising you begin to feel ill, slow down. It is better to take it easy than to try to burn a few extra calories and end up with a serious heat illness. Remember to always listen to your body and seek help if you feel you are experiencing a serious heat illness.

Alexander Sutton is the owner of a nutrition and fitness retail storefront in Salt Lake City, Utah. He has been a nutrition professional for more than 8 years. For additional information, please visit sports nutrition.

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