Heat stroke vs heat exhaustion

What Are the Symptoms of Heat-Related Illnesses? Heat cramp symptoms can include: • Severe, sometimes disabling, • Hard, tense muscles • • • Headache • Excessive thirst • Muscle aches and cramps • Weakness • Confusion or anxiety • Drenching sweats, often accompanied by cold, clammy • Slowed or weakened heartbeat • • • Agitation Heat exhaustion requires immediate attention. Heat • Increased body temperature (103 degrees F or higher) • • • Dizziness or • • Hot, flushed, • Rapid heart rate • Dry skin • Profound • Shortness of breath • Decreased urination • • Confusion, delirium, or loss of consciousness • Convulsions

Heat exhaustion causes general muscle weakness, excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, and fainting. Heatstroke occurs when the body’s internal temperature reaches over 103 degrees Fahrenheit and a person has changes in consciousness and behavior, sweats excessively, and experiences nausea and/or vomiting. Symptoms of both heat exhaustion and heatstroke should be taken seriously. It is also important to understand what type of symptoms you are experiencing and how to prevent them. This article will discuss heat exhaustion vs. heatstroke, including symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment, and prevention. Verywell / Theresa Chiechi Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion vs. Heatstroke Some symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke are similar, but these conditions are also very different. It is important to know that while heat exhaustion isn’t as severe as heatstroke, it shouldn’t be taken lightly because it can easily progress to heatstroke. Causes of Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke One study showed an average of over 60,000 cases of heat illness per summer seen by emergency departments in the United States. The study showed about 12% of the people affected were admitted to the hospital (an average of 7,678 per year) and there were an average of 46 deaths per year. Body’s Failure to Cool Itself When your body’s internal temperature is not regulating correctly, your body can become unable to cool itself. Being in a hot environment can lead to a rise in your core body temperature afte...

The danger of dehydration and heat stroke Dehydration and heat stroke are two very common heat-related diseases that can be life-threatening if left untreated. What is dehydration? Dehydration can be a serious heat-related disease. It is also a dangerous side effect of diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Children and people over the age of 60 are particularly susceptible to dehydration. What causes dehydration? Under normal conditions, we all lose body water daily through sweat, tears, breathing, urine, and stool. In a healthy person, this water is replaced by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water. When a person becomes so sick with fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, dehydration happens. It also happens if an individual is overexposed to the sun and not drinking enough water. This is caused when the body loses water content and essential body salts, such as sodium and potassium. Occasionally, dehydration can be caused by medicines, such as diuretics. These deplete body fluids and electrolytes. Whatever the cause, dehydration should be treated as soon as possible. What are the symptoms of dehydration? The following are the most common symptoms of dehydration. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include: • Thirst • Less-frequent urination • Dry skin • Fatigue • Light-headedness • Dizziness • Confusion • Dry mouthand mucous membranes • Increased heart rate and breathing In children, additional symptoms may include: • Dry mouth and to...

Heat exhaustion occurs when your body loses excess amounts of water and salt, typically from sweating. On the other hand, heat stroke is a serious medical emergency that occurs when your body is unable to control its internal temperature. As the weather gets warmer, we tend to spend more time outside under the hot sun. It’s important to know the difference between heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Knowing the signs and symptoms of these two conditions could save your life or that of a loved one. Heat exhaustion symptoms What to do Heat stroke symptoms What to do general take a cool shower or use a cold compress to decrease body temperature elevated body temperature above 104°F (40°C) call 911 for emergency treatment increased heavy sweating hydrate with water or sports drinks rapid and strong pulse or heart rate move to a shaded or cool area a weak but faster pulse or move to a shaded or cool area circulate air to speed up cooling seek medical treatment if vomiting continues hot, red, dry, or moist skin use a cold compress or cold, wet cloth to help lower body temperature possible lie down pale, cold, remove any extra layers or unnecessary clothing, like shoes or socks Keep in mind that heat stroke can be much more serious than heat exhaustion and requires immediate medical attention to prevent complications. Both heat stroke and heat exhaustion are caused by your body’s inability to cool itself. Sweat is your body’s natural tool for cooling you down. If you overexercise or...

Heat intolerance is also called hypersensitivity to heat. Symptoms may include headache, dizziness, weakness, cramping, or nausea. This usually happens because your body isn’t regulating its temperature properly. Most people don’t like extreme heat, but you might find that you’re always uncomfortable in hot weather if you have heat intolerance. The This is how your body regulates and maintains a delicate balance between hot and cold. Sometimes, you can have a stronger reaction to heat, Heat intolerance is not a medical condition in itself. It can indicate a variety of things. Read on to learn what causes heat intolerance and what to do about it. Heat intolerance has a variety of potential causes. Medication One of the most common causes of heat intolerance is medication. Medications that • • • • • These medications work in different ways but can inhibit your body’s ability to cool by inhibiting sweat production. Caffeine Hyperthyroidism Excessing this hormone Multiple sclerosis If your myelin is damaged, your body’s nerve signals If you have MS, heat intolerance can lead to A rise in body temperature amplifies the distortion of nerve signals in people with MS. This is Heat intolerance may lead to • confusion • loss of consciousness • vomiting • muscle cramps • body temperature of 104ºF (40ºC) or higher • elevated heart rate • rapid breathing If you experience these symptoms in addition to heat intolerance, seek medical attention immediately. Heat exhaustion can lead to hea...

Diagnosis If you need medical attention due to heat exhaustion, the medical staff that may take your rectal temperature to confirm the diagnosis and rule out heatstroke. If your health care team suspects your heat exhaustion may have progressed to heatstroke, you could need further tests, including: • A blood test, to check for low blood sodium or potassium and the content of gases in your blood. • A urine test, to check the concentration and makeup of your urine. This test can also check your kidney function, which can be affected by heatstroke. • Muscle function tests, to check for rhabdomyolysis — serious damage to your muscle tissue. • X-rays and other imaging, to check for damage to your inner organs. Treatment In most cases, you can treat heat exhaustion yourself by doing the following: • Rest in a cool place. Getting into an air-conditioned building is best. If that's not an option, find a shady spot or sit in front of a fan. Rest on your back with your legs raised higher than your heart level. • Drink cool fluids. Stick to water or sports drinks. Don't drink any alcoholic beverages, which can add to dehydration. • Try cooling measures. If possible, take a cool shower, soak in a cool bath or put towels soaked in cool water on your skin. If you're outdoors and not near shelter, soaking in a cool pond or stream can help bring your temperature down. • Loosen clothing. Remove any unnecessary clothing and make sure your clothes are lightweight and nonbinding. If you don'...

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are part of a continuum of heat-related illness. Both are common and preventable conditions affecting diverse patients. Recent research has identified a cascade of inflammatory pathologic events that begins with mild heat exhaustion and, if uninterrupted, can lead eventually to multiorgan failure and death. Heat exhaustion is characterized by nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, headache, and nausea. Treatment involves monitoring the patient in a cool, shady environment and ensuring adequate hydration. Untreated heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke, a much more serious illness involving central nervous system dysfunction such as delirium and coma. Other systemic effects, including rhabdomyolysis, hepatic failure, arrhythmias, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and even death, are not uncommon. Prompt recognition and immediate cooling through evaporation or full-body ice-water immersion are crucial. Physicians also must monitor electrolyte abnormalities, be alert to signs of renal or hepatic failure, and replace fluids in patients with heatstroke. Most experts believe that physicians and public health officials should focus greater attention on prevention. Programs involving identification of vulnerable individuals, dissemination of information about dangerous heat waves, and use of heat shelters may help prevent heat-related illness. These preventive measures, when paired with astute recognition of the early signs of heat-related ...