Recognizing the Warning Signs
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke share many of the same warning signs, with a few key differences. “To the naked eye, it’s difficult to distinguish between heat exhaustion and heatstroke. To differentiate between the two, you need to know if the person’s brain is working well and what their body temperature is,” says Roberts.
Symptoms of Heatstroke
- Hot, red, dry, or damp skin, if the person has been exercising
- Fast, strong pulse, becoming weak as heatstroke progresses
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Passing out
- Movement and balance issues
- Lung crackles or abnormal breathing
- Making very small amounts of urine
- Weakness
Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
- Heavy sweating
- Fast, weak pulse
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Tiredness or weakness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Passing out
- Cool, pale, clammy skin
- Elevated body temperature, but typically less than 103 degrees F
How to Treat Heat Exhaustion or Heatstroke
Since heat exhaustion and heatstroke are separate medical conditions, the treatments differ. If you suspect that you or someone you know is suffering from heat exhaustion, a few steps can help that person to start cooling off and rehydrating while waiting for medical help.
Heat Exhaustion Treatment
- Drinking cold beverages that don’t contain any alcohol or caffeine
- Cooling off in the shade
- Staying indoors with air-conditioning or a fan
- Taking a cool bath or shower
- Removing excess clothing
Rest is also key because it reduces strain on the cardiovascular system and helps stabilize body temperature.
Heatstroke Treatment
Heatstroke, on the other hand, is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency treatment. Without medical intervention, the condition can quickly cause brain, heart, kidney, and muscle damage or failure, and it can be fatal.
When caring for someone you suspect has heatstroke, the first thing you should do is call an ambulance. While you wait for medical professionals to arrive, you can begin to try to lower the person’s body temperature in the following ways:
- Move the person to a shaded or air-conditioned area to cool down.
- If possible, place them in a cool bath or shower or cool them with water from a garden hose. According to a meta-analysis of 63 studies on heatstroke treatment methods, submerging a person in cold water — about 34 to 63 degrees F — is the most effective method to lower core body temperature.
- Importantly, Mayo Clinic advises against giving a person with heatstroke anything to drink. Many people with heatstroke have an altered mental state, which could make it unsafe for them to drink fluids.
Preventing Heat-Related Illness
According to Barrak Alahmad, MBBS, a physician and mission scholar in the faculty of public health at Kuwait University and a PhD student at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, heatstroke and heat exhaustion are completely preventable.
“High temperature, high humidity, and extensive physical activity trigger both,” he says, noting that as a first step, early warning systems can help alert the public of extreme-heat days so they can prepare to stay out of potentially dangerous heat.
- Gradually build up to heavy exertion
- Take breaks as often as possible in a shaded or cool area
- Be aware that protective equipment required by the job can sometimes increase the risk of overheating
If you need to be outside on a hot day, be sure to wear:
- Light clothing (both in color and fabric)
- A hat
- Sunscreen
“Getting into air-conditioning for as little as 30 minutes a day can make the difference between fatal heatstroke and not,” says Roberts, who recommends exercising with a buddy so you can look out for each other.
Since alcohol dehydrates the body, it’s best not to drink booze in extreme heat. “It’s important to maintain good hydration, and don’t let yourself get thirsty,” says Roberts, who says that no one-size-fits-all daily water intake is safe or helpful, as everyone needs different amounts. “Recommending a certain amount is a recipe for overhydration, which can also be dangerous. Just drink when you are thirsty, and don’t let your urine get dark yellow,” he says.
Takeaway
Heatstroke is more dangerous than heat exhaustion, as it can lead to organ failure and even death. However, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke, and people need to take caution to prevent both in extreme heat, especially if they’re very active or work in outdoor or risky industries.
Treating heat exhaustion involves rapidly cooling someone down and can prevent progression to heatstroke. Heatstroke requires immediate medical attention. It can be difficult to differentiate between the two, so when in doubt do not hesitate to call 911.
Additional reporting by Lisa Rapaport.
Source link
