What is Heat exhaustion?
What is Heat exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion occurs when your body becomes excessively hot and cannot cool itself down, typically due to physical activity in hot weather. Symptoms include dizziness, confusion, and nausea. Heatstroke usually improves with drinking water and resting in a cool place. If left untreated, heatstroke can escalate to a more severe condition known as heat stroke, a life-threatening state that can lead to organ damage, coma, and even death.
Who is at Risk for Heatstroke?
Anyone can experience heatstroke, but infants and the elderly are at higher risk because their bodies may not regulate temperature effectively. Athletes, soldiers, and individuals with jobs requiring physical labor in hot environments are also susceptible to heatstroke. Other factors that increase the risk include:
Alcohol consumption
Male gender
Dehydration
Medications that affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature, such as diuretics, sedatives, or heart and blood pressure medications
Certain medical conditions that affect sweating, such as cystic fibrosis
Specific health issues, such as sleep disorders or problems with the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, thyroid, or blood vessels
Wearing heavy or tight clothing
High fever
Obesity
Previous history of heatstroke
Poor physical condition or lack of acclimatization to hot conditions
What to Do if You Suspect Heatstroke?
Cooling Down: Move to a cool location as soon as possible. Find a shady spot, take a cool shower, or sit in an air-conditioned building. You can also wet a cloth with cold water and place it on your forehead or the back of your neck.
Hydrate: Drink small sips of water or a sports drink containing electrolytes. Continue hydrating for about an hour, but avoid drinking too quickly. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages.
Rest: Cease all physical activity. Sit or lie down to allow your body to rest.
Seek Help if Needed: If symptoms do not improve after about an hour of rest and hydration, contact your doctor.
Ways to Prevent Heatstroke
Avoid Excessive Heat: If exercising or performing physical activities in hot weather, wear loose, breathable clothing. Take frequent breaks in the shade or a cool spot. When outdoors on a sunny day, wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect yourself from the sun.
Stay Hydrated: Keep hydrated by sipping water or a sports drink every 30 minutes or so. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink.
Be Aware of Risk Factors: If you are taking diuretics or other medications that can cause dehydration, talk to your doctor about taking extra precautions in the heat. If you have had heat-related illness before, you are more prone to heatstroke.
Stay Safe in Vehicles: The temperature inside a vehicle can quickly rise to dangerous levels. Never leave children (or pets) waiting in a parked car. Even with the windows down, sitting in a car on a hot day can be deadly.
Determine the time of your activities: On hot days, it’s wise to exercise early in the morning or late in the day when the temperature is lower.
What is Heat exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion occurs when your body becomes excessively hot and cannot cool itself down, typically due to physical activity in hot weather. Symptoms include dizziness, confusion, and nausea. Heatstroke usually improves with drinking water and resting in a cool place. If left untreated, heatstroke can escalate to a more severe condition known as heat stroke, a life-threatening state that can lead to organ damage, coma, and even death.
Who is at Risk for Heatstroke?
Anyone can experience heatstroke, but infants and the elderly are at higher risk because their bodies may not regulate temperature effectively. Athletes, soldiers, and individuals with jobs requiring physical labor in hot environments are also susceptible to heatstroke. Other factors that increase the risk include:
Alcohol consumption
Male gender
Dehydration
Medications that affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature, such as diuretics, sedatives, or heart and blood pressure medications
Certain medical conditions that affect sweating, such as cystic fibrosis
Specific health issues, such as sleep disorders or problems with the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, thyroid, or blood vessels
Wearing heavy or tight clothing
High fever
Obesity
Previous history of heatstroke
Poor physical condition or lack of acclimatization to hot conditions
What to Do if You Suspect Heatstroke
Cooling Down: Move to a cool location as soon as possible. Find a shady spot, take a cool shower, or sit in an air-conditioned building. You can also wet a cloth with cold water and place it on your forehead or the back of your neck.
Hydrate: Drink small sips of water or a sports drink containing electrolytes. Continue hydrating for about an hour, but avoid drinking too quickly. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages.
Rest: Cease all physical activity. Sit or lie down to allow your body to rest.
Seek Help if Needed: If symptoms do not improve after about an hour of rest and hydration, contact your doctor.
Ways to Prevent Heatstroke
Avoid Excessive Heat: If exercising or performing physical activities in hot weather, wear loose, breathable clothing. Take frequent breaks in the shade or a cool spot. When outdoors on a sunny day, wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect yourself from the sun.
Stay Hydrated: Keep hydrated by sipping water or a sports drink every 30 minutes or so. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink.
Be Aware of Risk Factors: If you are taking diuretics or other medications that can cause dehydration, talk to your doctor about taking extra precautions in the heat. If you have had heat-related illness before, you are more prone to heatstroke.
Stay Safe in Vehicles: The temperature inside a vehicle can quickly rise to dangerous levels. Never leave children (or pets) waiting in a parked car. Even with the windows down, sitting in a car on a hot day can be deadly.
Determine the time of your activities: On hot days, it’s wise to exercise early in the morning or late in the day when the temperature is lower