However, those with conditions such as diabetes or chronic heart failure as well as those with circulatory, high blood pressure, or respiratory problems need to be especially vigilant as they have an increased risk for serious heat-related health problems.

Here is Dr. Rose and other experts’ advice to travelers for preventing heat-related problems:

• Drink water—at least two to three quarts or more each day—even if you don’t feel thirsty. Thirst is a poor indicator of your true water requirements; drink beyond your thirst level to stay well hydrated.

If you’ve got a fever or an illness that includes diarrhea or vomiting, which can lead to rapid fluid loss, you should increase your daily fluid intake to compensate for the fluids you’ve lost.

• Increase your intake of water and fluids prior to a flight—and drink at least eight ounces of water for each hour of flight.

Don’t reach for the ubiquitous iced-tea or coffee. Such caffeine-laden drinks act as stimulants and increase heat production in the body.

Avoid beverages laced with alcohol or caffeine (they’re diuretics) and carbonated or salty drinks that only fuel your thirst.

• Make sure you have access to drinkable water. Unless you regularly tote multiple bottles of water, it’s surprisingly easy to find yourself without access to drinkable water. Bottled water may be sold just about everywhere, but you’d be surprised how often you can find yourself without easy or quick access to a retail outlet with water!

• Review your medications. Taking antihistamines, antidepressants, antispasmodics, tranquilizers, sedatives (including over-the-counter sleeping pills) or popular cholesterol-lowering drugs can block or restrict your ability to sweat, while using amphetamines increases the production of body heat.

• Check with your physician if you take prescription diuretics. You may need to alter your dosage or the frequency to compensate for dehydration as a result of heat exposure.

• Heed the body’s warning signals: If you feel disoriented, lightheaded, or dizzy, or if you have a severe headache or nausea, or experience clamminess or chills, get out of the heat and cool down. Slowly drink cool water.

Taking a moment to rest and cool down is infinitely preferable to fainting—something that happens more frequently then road warriors (male and female) would like to admit.

WARNING! If you’ve stopped sweating and your heartbeat is rapid, you’re experiencing the early signs of heat exhaustion. Get immediate aid.

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• Never treat heat-induced edema (swelling) with diuretics. They won’t reduce this type of swelling and will only increase dehydration.

• Don’t work out or run alone. Even if you recognize that you’re experiencing heat exhaustion or stroke, you may be unable to take action. Pair up with a buddy for extended outdoor activity.

TIP: To avoid overheating, the American College of Sports Medicine advises drinking about two glasses of water two hours before exercising and cool (but not cold) water during a workout to avoid dehydration, which strains the heart.

• Modify your fitness routines. Don’t over-exercise or over-exert yourself physically, particularly if you are not in very good shape.

In cities with high altitudes, poor air quality, or high heat and humidity, curtail your workout (length and intensity) and give yourself time to acclimate to local conditions.

Consider moving your workouts to an air-conditioned venue. If you insist on being outdoors, look for shaded areas and time your activity to avoid the highest heat and pollution of the day. In most locations that means very early a.m. or late evening workouts.

• Replace salt. After several days of heavy or copious sweating, some people lose significant amounts of salt that need to be replaced. Drink a sports drink or salted water (a half-teaspoon of slat in one quart of water) instead of plain water to reduce the risk of heat cramps.

You can also eat salty foods. (If you have a salt-restricted health problem, check with your doctor.)

• Avoid salt tablets. Instead, opt for a sports drink or the lightly salted water mixture noted above.

• Don’t overdress or wear restrictive clothing. In the age of ultra-casual work attire, it’s hard to imagine anyone having to admonish a traveler to "take it off." But some suit-and-tie-wearing folks wouldn’t dream of doffing a jacket while some travelers are wearing very tight and constricting clothing that only adds to discomfort in hot weather.

Serious physical discomfort and worse are a poor trade-off for looking professional or trendy. Unless you’re being photographed for a magazine, get comfortable. You’ll be more productive.

TIP: Opt for light-colored, lightweight (and loosely woven), loose-fitting clothing made from natural (linen and cotton) rather than synthetic fabrics. Synthetics can make you feel hot and clammy and trap sweat, which only adds to your overall discomfort.

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