We all know that drinking alcohol can be dangerous when not done responsibly—but the list of risks grows when you add in heat and sun exposure. Hot weather intensifies alcohol's effects, leading to a higher chance of:
- Dehydration
One of the biggest risks of drinking alcohol in hot weather is dehydration. Alcohol can make you urinate more, leading to fluid loss. Watch for:
- Thirst or a dry mouth
- Decreased or dark-colored urine
- Fast heartbeat
- Dizziness, confusion or tiredness
Drinking plenty of water or electrolyte drinks between alcoholic beverages can help keep you hydrated (and prevent a hangover!).
- Sunburn
Alcohol can impair judgment and make you less cautious. This may lead you to overlook sun-protection measures and keep you in the sun too long. Not only are sunburns painful, but too much sun long-term also can lead to skin cancer.
In addition to hydrating and watching how much alcohol you drink:
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you’re sweating, swimming or toweling off.
- Include sun-protective clothing, sunglasses and a hat.
- Heat Exhaustion
Alcohol can make it harder to regulate body temperature, which increases your risk of heat exhaustion. Warning signs include:
- Heavy sweating
- Weakness or dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
If you experience any of these symptoms, get out of the sun and cool off with damp cloths and cool water. Seek medical care if symptoms continue or worsen and call 911 if you suspect heatstroke.
- Heatstroke
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke can look alike, but heatstroke requires immediate medical care. This occurs when your body can no longer control its temperature.
Heatstroke is life-threatening. Call 911 immediately if you or someone you’re with experience any of the following:
- High body temperature (above 103°F)
- Confusion or an altered mental state
- Flushed skin and a lack of sweating despite the heat
- Rapid breathing and racing heartbeat
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
Don't wait for emergency responders to arrive before you:
- Move to a shady area
- Remove extra clothing
- Apply cool water or ice packs
Support With Moderation
Moderation and responsible drinking are key to lowering the health risks associated with alcohol—and not just in the summer. But for some, this isn’t easy.
“Alcohol use can worsen some medical conditions, like high blood pressure and liver disease. It can also put you at increased risk of others, including some cancers and heart conditions,” says John Epling, MD, a specialist at Carilion Clinic Family Medicine. He suggests using the CDC’s free screening tool as an easy way to check your drinking habits.
If you have questions or are having a hard time moderating your drinking, reach out to your primary care physician for help or get immediate support at CarilionClinic.org/CONNECT.
