You should immediately

• seek a cool environment
• Drink fluids
• Cool down your body with wet towels or by taking a shower.

If your symptoms do not improve, please call your doctor or the ambulance (emergency number: 144).

These symptoms may be due toheat accumulation: Heat accumulation can occur in high heat, especially in connection with physical exertion or wearing clothing that is too tight and too warm. The resulting heavy sweating can lead to a high loss of minerals and fluids and subsequently to circulatory problems. Typical symptoms of heat exhaustion are dizziness, lightheadedness and nausea, an elevated pulse and increased body temperature (up to 41 °C).

You should do the following immediately:

• Move the affected person to a cool environment if possible
• Loosen the person's clothing
• Place wet cloths on the person's head and body
• If the person is conscious, give them sips of fluid
• If the person is unconscious, place them in a stable lateral position
• Be sure to call a doctor or the ambulance (emergency number: 144).

It may be a case ofheat stroke. Heat stroke can be the result of heat exhaustion that has not been adequately treated. In addition to the symptoms of heatstroke, headache, vomiting and muscle cramps typically occur. Body temperature may rise to as high as 43°C.

In severe cases, confusion and even clouding of consciousness and possibly unconsciousness may occur. This is then a very threatening situation that can lead to failure of vital organs and ultimately to death, especially in elderly and weakened persons.

The following measures and rules of conduct can prevent heat accumulation or heat stroke relatively easily and effectively:

• Create a tolerable room temperature
• Ventilate early in the morning, in the evening and if possible also at night.
• Darken rooms during the day (preferably with an external sunshade).
• Hang damp cloths to cool rooms
• Wear light and air-permeable clothing if possible
• Avoid unnecessary exertion
• Avoid dense crowds
• Stay outdoors only briefly if possible, especially at lunchtime
• Avoid direct sunlight on the body (use a sunshade or headgear with neck protection, walk in the shade, etc.)
• If possible, you can cover your head and neck with damp cloths or shower/bathe more often or hold your forearms in cold water
• Use fans
• Seek out air-conditioned rooms if possible
• Drink enough and consciously, not only when you feel thirsty (1.5 to 3 liters daily)

As drinks are particularly suitable:

• tap and mineral water
• diluted fruit and vegetable juices
• unsweetened fruit and herbal teas

Strongly sweetened and alcoholic beverages are not suitable!

Important: drink sufficient quantities, at least 1.5 to 3 liters daily. For adults who perform strenuous activities, much larger amounts may be required; for children, smaller amounts may be sufficient.

Heavy sweating can also cause the body to lose significant amounts of minerals. This loss can be compensated for by consuming beverages containing minerals. Another option is to add some salt to beverages that have small amounts of minerals.

Caution: Persons with kidney or cardiovascular disease should be sure to consult their physician regarding the appropriate amount of fluids. This also applies to persons who must restrict fluid intake for medical reasons.

During periods of heat, large meals should not be eaten. Several small meals spread throughout the day are more digestible. Easily digestible and low-fat foods with a high water content are preferable. These include in particular:

• Fruits and vegetables (melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.)
• Compotes
• Salads
• low-fat meat and vegetable soups
• low-fat or diluted milk and dairy products (e.g. buttermilk with mineral water)

Fatty foods should not be consumed in high heat, and meat should only be consumed in small amounts.

For various reasons,infants, young children, the elderly and chronically ill, andpeople with disabilities are particularly at risk during hot spells. For example, the feeling of thirst decreases with age, which is why older people often consume too little fluid. Infants and small children still lack the ability to articulate themselves accordingly.

Family members, friends, neighbors, caregivers, etc. of people who are particularly at risk should therefore take great care to ensure that these people drink enough fluids and that other measures to prevent heat damage are taken or rules of conduct are observed.

Taking certain medications may have a negative impact on heat tolerance. In particular, the following medicines should be mentioned here:

• Diuretics (dehydrating agents)
• Benzodiazepines (sleep-inducing and strong anesthetics)
• Sedatives (tranquilizers)
• Beta-receptor blockers (often taken in combination with diuretics or other blood pressure-lowering agents).

If you need to take such medicines, be sure to consult your doctor or a pharmacist during hot spells.

Information on labor law provisions can be obtained from the Chamber of Labor (AK).