BOZEMAN – Montanans tend to love being outdoors, but being in the heat can take more out of you than you might realize.
Whether you’re running around town or hitting the trails, the most important thing about running in this heat is making sure you’re hydrated.
Emergency Physician Tiffany Kuehl says there are some noticeable symptoms if you’re dehydrated.
“Nausea, headache, vomiting, which makes the dehydration worse so it can be a worsening cycle. In the extreme it causes confusion and coma,” Kuehl said.
If you ever experience those symptoms, there are a few simple tips that can be helpful.
“Calm yourself down, walk a little bit. After you’re done running massage can help, sit in a cold river and getting some water would defiantly help,” said Casey Jermyn of the Bozeman Running company.
“I would try to move into a cool area as soon as they can and get into the shade. Wet your shirt because evaporative cooling is an effective way to try and cool yourself down," Kuehl suggests.
Preparing your body for any race or extreme outdoor activity is also essential.
“Training in the environment you’re planning to exercise in is important. People who are basically habituated to working out in a certain amount of heat tend to do better,” Kuehl said.
As our summer continues, drinking water is the best thing you can do to fight the heat.
