Hiking, fishing, swimming, along with many other outdoor activities will surely dominate your schedule as we shift into the summer months.With that increased time in the sun, you will no doubt have to keep an eye out for heatstroke.Growing up in South Florida, I've had several first-hand experiences with extreme heat and have even seen what heatstroke looks like (spoiler: it ain't pretty).HEATSTROKE TRAGEDIES SPARK URGENT NATIONWIDE WARNING ABOUT SAFETY PRACTICESIt can sneak up on you if you don't know what you're looking for, so here are a few tips to help you beat the heat and avoid a trip to the emergency room so you can enjoy your summer to the fullest.A senior man holds a towel to his face outdoors as he appears to suffer from heat stroke.(iStock)Heat exhaustion is a serious issue, and it may even be a precursor to heatstroke if you aren't careful, but actual heatstroke is a condition that often requires emergency medical attention.Knowing the difference between the two is crucial, so here are some key differences between the two.WEARABLE HYDRATION MONITOR COULD HELP PREVENT HEATSTROKE, SCIENTISTS SAYHeat ExhaustionHeat StrokeThe key difference and one of the tells of heatstroke is a change in mental state, so if a friend is acting confused or disoriented, call 911 immediately.It could be a matter of life and death.Extreme weather is fueling a rise in heart attacks and strokes, with heat waves and cold snaps contributing to the rise, according to new research reported by SWNS.
(iStock)You've probably heard the saying, "it's not the heat, it's the humidity."That's not just an old wives' tale.The humidity can often play just as much of a factor as the temperature.I've hiked in both South Florida and the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the middle of summer, and the former has presented way more of a challenge climatically than the latter, even while DFW was pushing 110 degrees.The reason is that South Florida is way more humid in the summer months than almost anywhere...