WITH the heat wave Namibia is currently experiencing, people should be careful to avoid heat stroke or sunstroke - a potentially fatal condition which occurs when the body heats up faster than it can cool down.

It is usually caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

Sweating is one of the body's most important methods of temperature regulation.

Evaporation of the sweat cools the body.

When the body becomes dehydrated, the production of sweat stops and the core temperature of the body starts to rise.

People suffering heat or sunstroke may become confused, suffer headaches and may seem intoxicated.

Blood pressure can drop significantly from dehydration, leading to possible fainting or dizziness, especially if the victim stands up suddenly.

Acute dehydration such as that accompanying heat stroke can produce nausea and vomiting.

Eventually, as body organs begin to fail, unconsciousness and coma will result.

The body temperature of people suffering heat stroke must be lowered immediately.

The person must be moved to a cool area and his or her clothing should be removed.

Active cooling methods can be used like putting the person into cool water.

It is also very important that the person is rehydrated by drinking lots of water.

The risk of heatstroke can be reduced by wearing light and loose-fitting clothing.

Wide-brimmed hats in a light colour keep the sun from warming the head and neck.

Strenuous exercise should be avoided during daylight hours in hot weather.

In hot weather people need to drink plenty of liquids to replace fluids lost through sweating.