As most people who have endured the latest UK heatwave will know - hot weather makes you tired. The heat has a huge impact on our bodies because we, among other things sweat more and the body's natural cooling mechanism involves increasing blood circulation near the skin's surface, which both up a lot of energy.
As a result, many of us feel tired and worn out, a feeling that might actually continue for a while after the heatwave has ended too.
While a heatwave can leave you feeling worn out and sluggish, there are also risks that it may turn into something more serious, such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke - and it's important to know the difference.
Speaking to The Mirror, Dr Johannes Uys, a GP working at Broadgate General Practice in London, warned: "In my years as a GP, I've seen countless cases where individuals overlook or underestimate the effects of high temperatures on their body, thinking they only have to look out for a sunburn.
"However, it's crucial to be able to distinguish general fatigue from signs of a more serious heat-related condition such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke, especially during the height of the summer season, and to not brush it off as something minor."
There are several signs you should look out for when it comes to these heat-related issues, which can be very dangerous if left untreated.
Dr Uys said: "First, let's talk about heat exhaustion. While heat exhaustion typically begins with a sense of profound fatigue, it's about more than just feeling worn out.
"You could be excessively sweating, your heartbeat may be more rapid than usual, and you may experience feelings of dizziness or even faintness.
"It's not uncommon for nausea and headaches to accompany these symptoms, and some people may even experience muscle cramps."
It could also be that your body is having difficulty cooling, so be on the lookout for "cool and clammy skin" or signs that you're "looking a bit pale". If this happens, Dr Uys recommends "take it seriously and get somewhere cool with some water pronto".
However, if you suffer the signs of a heatstroke, you should treat this as a medical emergency, which requires immediate action, warns Dr Uys.
He explained: "Heatstroke is essentially what happens when your body reaches its limits and can no longer cool itself down, and your core temperature becomes dangerously high."
While you might feel fatigued, a sign that it's more serious is if you feel confused, are slurring your speech or if you are having seizures.
Dr Uys continued: "Additionally, your skin might become flushed and dry - this means, despite the heat, you may notice you've stopped sweating which is a major red flag.
"Rapid breathing, a racing heart rate, and a throbbing headache are also common symptoms of heatstroke, especially when combined with each other."
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should act immediately, urges Dr Uys. He added: "You'll want to remove yourself from the heat if possible, hydrate with cool water (and an electrolyte drink if available), and rest."
If the symptoms keep getting worse you should seek immediate medical attention.
Dr Uys added: "Remember, it's not just the feeling of fatigue that's important here - it's the combination of symptoms that can help identify heat-related illnesses, so always keep track of how you or your loved ones are feeling, and if they start to show multiple symptoms, get this inside and cooled down ASAP."
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