“An overheated state is usually caused by exposure to extreme heat over an extended period. When your body temperature rises, blood flow to ...ShareSaveShareonFacebookSaveonPinterestTweetthisEmailNextSkiptomaincontentMENUExerciseNutritionMentalHealthSelf-CareShopHealthySearchtermsSearchformsubmitbuttonToggleSearchSignUpforOurFreeNewsletterSignUpforOurNewslettersHomeFirstAid4DangerousSignsThatYourBodyIsOverheating—and4WaysYou’reMakingItWorseLindsayTigarUpdated:Nov.20,2020MedicallyreviewedbyMichaelSpertus,MDNoonewantstothinkabouttherisksofprettysunshine,white-sandbeaches,orall-daysoftballgames.Butheatexhaustionisaseriousdangerinthesummer,andknowingthesignscouldsaveyourlife.Maridav/ShutterstockWhatisoverheating?Ifyou’veeverfeltfaintinahotyogaclassorlookingforshadebecausethosesunraysaremakingyourbrainbubble,you’resomewhatfamiliarwithoverheating.Anotherriskisnotknowingthesignsofdehydration.Whileyoumightnotclinicallysufferfromheatexhaustion,thosearewarningsigns.“Becomingoverheatedsimplymeansyourbodycannotcoolitselfofforreturntoitsnormaloptimaltemperature,whichisusuallyaround98.6degreesFahrenheitformostindividuals,”explainsRogerE.Adams,PhD,CISSN,adoctorofnutritionandownerofEatRightFitness.“Anoverheatedstateisusuallycausedbyexposuretoextremeheatoveranextendedperiod.Whenyourbodytemperaturerises,bloodflowtothesurfaceofyourbodyincreases.Additionally,sweatrateandrespiratoryratesincrease,inordertocoolyourbodyoff.Allofthiscreatesanextraworkloadontheheart,increasingyourheartrate.”Lucky-Business/ShutterstockWhyit’sdangerousOverheatingisriskybecauseit’sapreludetoothersun-inducedtrouble.Adamsexplainsthatwhenyou’reoverheated,yousweatmore,quicklycausingyoutobedehydratedasyourbodyloseslargeamountsofwaterviayourporesinanefforttoregulate.“Dehydrationfurtherplacesastrainontheheart,andsincetheheartisalreadyworkinghardatpushingbloodflowtotheskin,thiscanleadtoadangeroussituationforyourheart,”hesays.“Anoverheatedstateputsthebody’smostvulnerableanddelicatetissuesatrisk:nervecellsinthebrainandth