Diet Pills and Heat Illnesses

Diet pills and heat illnesses can have an unpleasant connection when the right precautions aren’t taken.  Naturally, this is something important to know when you’re considering a new product or when you’re getting ready for a workout or to spend some time in some hot weather. Not all diet pills increase your risks and among those that do, not all risks are the same size.  Moreover, when you take a product safely, avoiding problems can be quite straightforward.  Still, it’s a matter of knowing what the risks are and how to avoid them.

What Are Heat Illnesses?

Heat related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, occur when your body can't keep itself cool. As the air temperature rises, your body stays cool when your sweat evaporates. On hot, humid days, the evaporation of sweat is slowed by the increased moisture in the air. When sweating isn't enough to cool your body, your body temperature rises, and you may become ill.

Why Diet Pills May Increase the Incidence of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke?

Some diet pills may increase the incidence of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, particularly during the summer months. In particular, diet pills containing stimulants and diuretics are of greatest concern because they affect the way in which your body regulates water, salts, and temperature. When these types of diet pills are combined with outdoor exercise in the hot summer months there is a greater potential for an increase in heat-related illnesses. 

What Diet Pills May Increase the Incidence of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke?

Diet Pills containing stimulants should be used with caution, especially when combined with outdoor activities in the heat and sun. Common diet pills ingredients to avoid during the summer include Ephedra, ephedrine alkaloids, Guarana, Yerba Mate, Kola Nut, Bitter Orange and Caffeine. These stimulants enhance brain activity - they cause an increase in alertness, attention, and energy that is accompanied by elevated blood pressure and increased heart rate and respiration. These physiological effects may prevent the body from proper thermoregulation (cooling) during periods of exercise and/or heat exposure. 

Diuretics in diet pills can also increase the incidence of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Diuretics help rid the body of excess fluids as well as salt and potassium. This loss in body fluids may decrease perspiration (sweating). When sweating isn't enough to cool your body, your body temperature rises, and you may become ill. Diet pills containing diuretics are commonly called "Water Pills" and should be avoided during periods of sun and heat exposure. 

What is the Difference Between Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke?

Heat exhaustion happens when your body gets too hot. It can be caused by exercise or hot weather. You may feel weak, dizzy or worried. You also may have a headache or a fast heartbeat. You may get dehydrated and have very little urine. 

Heatstroke can happen when your body gets too hot, or it can follow heat exhaustion. Heatstroke is much more serious than heat exhaustion and can be fatal. People with heatstroke may seem confused and in severe cases they may have seizures or go into a coma. Most people with heatstroke also have a fever. 

How to Treat Heat Illnesses

If you think you have heat exhaustion, get out of the heat quickly. Rest in a cool, shady place. Drink plenty of water or other fluids. Do NOT drink alcohol. Alcohol can make heat exhaustion worse. If you do not feel better within 30 minutes, you should contact your doctor. If heat exhaustion is not treated, it can progress to heatstroke. 

If you think someone might have heatstroke, you should take him or her to a cool, shady place quickly, and call a doctor. Removing the person's unnecessary clothing can help cool him or her down. Try to fan warm air over the person while wetting the skin with lukewarm water. This will help the person cool down. 

How to Lower Your Chance of Heat Illnesses When Taking Diet Pills

If you are taking diet pills containing stimulants or diuretics during the summer months it is recommended that you drink plenty of water - at least 2 liters a day. Do not drink beverages that contain caffeine (such as tea, coffee and cola) or alcohol. By keeping yourself hydrated you will counteract the dehydrating effects of these pills. If you have clear, pale urine, you are probably drinking enough fluids. 

Try to limit periods of exercise or strenuous activity to indoors with air-conditioning or outside during cooler times of the day - before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. During activity take frequent breaks drink water or other fluids every 15 to 20 minutes, even if you don't feel thirsty. 

If you are unsure about the effects of diet pills and the health risks associated with them, consult with your doctor. If you think you may be suffering heat illness, particularly a more extreme version of it, seek medical attention and be sure to tell the professional who helps you that you are using diet pills.