Heat Exhaustion

Your body can overheat, leading to heat exhaustion. This happens when you get too hot, usually from being in a very warm and humid environment or doing a lot of physical activity. One sign is sweating a lot and having a fast heartbeat. Heat exhaustion is one of three possible heat-related illnesses. Heat cramps are the least serious, and heatstroke is the most serious.

Heat exhaustion can happen if you're outside in very hot weather, especially when it's also very humid. Working hard or exercising a lot in the heat can also cause it. If you don't treat heat exhaustion quickly, it can turn into heatstroke, which is a very dangerous condition that needs immediate medical attention. Luckily, heat exhaustion is something you can usually avoid.

Heat exhaustion can happen quickly or gradually, particularly during extended physical activity. Recognizing the signs is key to getting help. Some common symptoms include:

• Cool, clammy skin: Even when it's hot, your skin might feel cool and damp, and you might get goosebumps.
• Heavy sweating: Producing a lot of sweat is a natural response to heat, but with heat exhaustion, it's often excessive.
• Lightheadedness and dizziness: You might feel faint or dizzy.
• Feeling tired and weak: Extreme fatigue is a common symptom.
• Fast, weak pulse: Your heart rate might be noticeably faster and weaker than usual.
• Low blood pressure when standing: This means your blood pressure drops significantly when you change from sitting or lying down to standing up.
• Muscle aches and pains: Muscle cramps are a frequent sign.
• Upset stomach: Nausea is possible.
• Headache: A headache could be a symptom.

What to do if you think you have heat exhaustion:

1. Stop what you're doing and rest: Immediately halt any physical activity.
2. Find a cool place: Move to an air-conditioned room, a shady spot, or anywhere with a cooler temperature.
3. Drink cool fluids: Water or sports drinks are good choices. Replenishing lost fluids is important.
4. Contact your doctor: If symptoms don't improve within an hour, or if they get worse, call your doctor.

If you're with someone experiencing heat exhaustion:

• Seek immediate medical help: If they become confused, agitated, lose consciousness, or can't drink, call emergency services immediately.
• Monitor their core body temperature: A rectal thermometer can measure this. If their temperature reaches 104°F (40°C) or higher, they need immediate cooling and emergency medical attention. Cooling measures might include placing them in a cool bath or applying cool compresses.

Important Note: Heat exhaustion can progress to a more serious condition called heatstroke if not treated promptly. If you have concerns about heat-related illness, always consult a healthcare professional.

Heat exhaustion can be a serious problem. If you think you might have it, follow these steps:

1. Stop what you're doing and rest: Taking a break is crucial. Don't try to keep moving or exercising.

2. Cool down: Find a place with a lower temperature, like an air-conditioned room or the shade.

3. Hydrate: Drink cool water or a sports drink to replace lost fluids. These drinks often have electrolytes, which are important minerals your body needs.

4. Seek medical attention if needed: If your symptoms don't get better within an hour, or if they get worse, call a doctor.

Important Note: If someone you're with shows signs of heat exhaustion, get immediate medical help if they:

• Become confused or distressed: This means they're showing signs of being unwell or disoriented.
• Lose consciousness: This means they faint or lose awareness.
• Are unable to drink: They might be too weak or unwell to drink on their own.

Urgent Situation: If a person's body temperature rises to 104°F (40°C) or higher (measured with a rectal thermometer), this is a medical emergency. Immediate cooling measures and urgent medical care are necessary. This is a serious situation and requires immediate attention.

Your body has a normal internal temperature, often around 98.6°F (37°C). This is called your core temperature. Your body works hard to keep this temperature stable, whether it's hot or cold outside.

When it's hot, your body mainly cools itself by sweating. The sweat evaporating from your skin takes away heat. But if you exercise heavily or are out in hot, humid weather, your body can't cool down quickly enough. This can lead to heat cramps.

Heat cramps are the mildest type of heat-related illness. They often happen when you've been sweating a lot, are tired, and thirsty. Muscle cramps are a common symptom. If you treat heat cramps quickly, you can often prevent them from getting worse.

To help with heat cramps, drink plenty of fluids, especially drinks with electrolytes like sports drinks (Gatorade, Powerade). Moving to a cool place, like air conditioning or shade, and resting are also helpful.

Heat cramps aren't just caused by hot weather and exercise. Other things can make it harder for your body to regulate its temperature:

• Dehydration: When you're dehydrated, your body can't sweat as effectively, which makes it harder to cool down.
• Alcohol use: Alcohol can interfere with your body's ability to control its temperature.
• Overdressing: Wearing too many layers of clothing, especially clothes that don't allow your sweat to evaporate, can make you overheat.

Heat illnesses can happen to anyone, but some people are more vulnerable. These factors make you more sensitive to heat:

Age: Babies and young children (under 4) and older adults (over 65) are especially at risk. Young bodies haven't fully developed the ability to regulate their temperature. Older adults might have health problems, take medications, or have other issues that affect their body's temperature control.

Medications: Some medicines can interfere with your body's ability to stay hydrated and handle heat. These include:

• Blood pressure and heart medications (beta blockers, diuretics): These can affect how your body manages fluids.
• Allergy medications (antihistamines): These can also impact your body's ability to stay hydrated.
• Tranquilizers and antipsychotics: These can sometimes make your body less able to regulate temperature.
• Illegal drugs (like cocaine and amphetamines): These can raise your body temperature.

Obesity: Carrying extra weight can make your body less efficient at cooling itself. Your body holds onto more heat.

Sudden Temperature Changes: If you're not used to hot weather, you're more likely to get heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion. Your body takes time to adjust to higher temperatures. Moving from a cold climate to a hot one, or experiencing a sudden heat wave, can put you at risk.

High Heat Index: The heat index combines the temperature and humidity to show how hot it actually feels. High humidity makes it harder for sweat to evaporate, meaning your body struggles to cool down. This increases your risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. When the heat index reaches 91°F (33°C) or higher, it's important to take steps to stay cool.

Heat exhaustion can get worse and become heatstroke. Heatstroke is a serious medical emergency. It happens when your body's temperature gets very high, reaching 104° Fahrenheit (40° Celsius) or more. This high temperature can cause lasting problems with your brain and other important parts of your body, and even death, so immediate medical care is crucial.

Staying safe in hot weather is crucial to avoid heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses. Here's how to protect yourself and others:

Dress Appropriately: Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing. Tight or heavy clothes trap heat and make it harder for your body to cool down. This is important for everyone, especially children.

Protect Yourself from the Sun: Sunburn interferes with your body's natural cooling system. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to shield your skin. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply a generous amount, and reapply every couple of hours, especially after swimming or sweating.

Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated helps your body sweat effectively, which is how it regulates its temperature. Water is the best choice, but other cool drinks are also helpful.

Be Aware of Medications: Some medications can affect your body's ability to stay hydrated and cope with heat. If you're taking any medication, talk to your doctor about how heat might affect you. Pay close attention to any signs of heat-related problems.

Never Leave Anyone in a Car: This is extremely important, especially for children. Car interiors can heat up very quickly. Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a parked car in direct sunlight can rise significantly in just a few minutes. This can lead to serious illness or death. Always keep your car locked to prevent anyone from getting inside. Never leave children or pets unattended in a parked car, even for a short time, especially during the hottest parts of the day.

Pace Yourself During Hot Weather: If you have to be active outdoors during the hottest part of the day, take frequent breaks in a cool place. Drink fluids and rest often. If possible, schedule strenuous activity for cooler times of day, like early morning or evening.

Get Used to the Heat Gradually: If you're not used to hot weather, start slowly when engaging in outdoor activities. Gradually increase the duration and intensity of your activities to allow your body to adjust. It may take several weeks for your body to adapt.

Be Extra Cautious if You're at Risk: People with certain medical conditions or who are taking certain medications are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. If you fall into this category, be extra careful when spending time outdoors in hot weather. Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, and be alert for symptoms of overheating. If you're participating in a sporting event or activity in hot weather, ensure medical assistance is readily available in case of an emergency.

Important Note: Always be mindful of the signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke. These include headache, dizziness, nausea, and rapid heartbeat. If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

Heat exhaustion can be serious and require medical attention. Doctors might take your rectal temperature to see if you have heat exhaustion or the more dangerous heatstroke.

If doctors think you might have heatstroke, they might do some tests:

• Blood test: This is used to check the levels of important substances like sodium and potassium in your blood, as well as the amounts of oxygen and other gases. Low levels of these can be signs of heatstroke.

• Urine test: This checks the concentration and contents of your urine. It can also help evaluate how well your kidneys are working, since heatstroke can affect kidney function.

• Muscle function tests: These tests can look for rhabdomyolysis. This is a serious condition where your muscle tissue breaks down. It can be a sign of heatstroke.

• X-rays or other imaging: Doctors might use X-rays or other imaging tests to check for damage to your internal organs. Heatstroke can cause damage to various organs.

These tests help doctors understand the severity of your condition and develop the best treatment plan.