Even young and fit urged to skip runs and too many beers in heatwave

Even young and fit urged to skip runs and too many beers in heatwaveImage source, Getty ImagesByMichelle RobertsDigital health editorPublishedJust nowAfter days of record-breaking temperatures around Europe, officials have warned people to adjust their behaviour - even fit, young people - as health services report a sharp rise in life‑threatening emergencies.In London, the ambulance service faced its busiest day on record this week, with cardiac arrests up nearly a third, and is urging people to drink responsibly and avoid exercise outside. Parisians, meanwhile, will be restricted from drinking alcohol in public from noon through the night on both Friday and Saturday. Extreme heat puts immense physical strain on the body - made worse if you are dehydrated from drinking alcohol - with the heart pumping harder and faster to cool you off. Why is alcohol so bad? Image source, Getty ImagesIn the UK, ahead of England playing Panama in the World Cup on Saturday, people are being advised to drink plenty of fluids but not lots of alcohol in this punishing heat, to avoid dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it makes you pee more, while the hot weather also makes us sweat lots. "This dehydration double whammy makes it even more important to drink plenty of water and stay as hydrated as possible throughout the day," says Alcohol Change UK.During the heatwave, the nights have been hot too, presenting its own challenge. It means the body cannot cool down as much in between the daytime heat spikes.Heat exhaustion can affect anyone, including fit and healthy people - especially if they have done strenuous exercise in high temperatures or been drinking alcohol in the sun all day. It can come on quickly, over minutes, or gradually, over hours.It can subsequently turn into heatstroke, external, which is a medical emergency. It means your body can no longer manage the heat and your core temperature is rising too high. There can be fast breathing or shortness of bre...