HEAT EXHAUSTION VS HEAT STROKE
With summer temperatures on the rise, you should be aware of and be able to distinguish between these two serious heat related illnesses. Although heat exhaustion is not as serious as heat stroke, it isn’t something to be taken lightly. Without proper intervention, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, which can damage the brain and other vital organs, and even cause death. The risk of heat-related illness dramatically increases when the heat index climbs to 90 degrees or more. It is important to pay attention to the reported heat index, and the heat index is even higher when you are standing in full sunshine.
Heat Exhaustion is strongly related to the heat index, which is a measurement of how hot you feel when the effects of relative humidity and air temperature are combined. A relative humidity of 60% or more hampers sweat evaporation, which hinders your body’s ability to cool itself.
There are two types of heat exhaustion:
- Water depletion – with symptoms of excessive thirst, weakness, headache, and loss of consciousness
- Salt depletion – where symptoms are nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, and dizziness
Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
- Confusion
- Dark-colored urine
- Dizziness or fainting
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Pale skin
- Profuse sweating
- Rapid heartbeat
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Treatment for Heat Exhaustion
If you, or anyone else, has symptoms of heat exhaustion:
- Immediately get out of the heat and rest, preferably in an air-conditioned room.
- If not possible try to find the nearest cool and shady place
- Drink plenty of fluid (avoid caffeine and alcohol).
- Remove any tight or unnecessary clothing
- Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath
- Apply other cooling measures such as fans or ice
If those fail to provide relief within 15 minutes, seek emergency medical help, left untreated heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke.
Heat Stroke is the most serious form of heat injury and is considered a medical emergency. If you suspect that someone has heat stroke — also known as sunstroke — call 911 immediately. While waiting for the paramedics to arrive, initiate first aid. Move the person to an air-conditioned environment — or at least a cool, shady area — and remove any unnecessary clothing.
Heat stroke can kill or cause damage to the brain and other internal organs. Heat stroke results from prolonged exposure to high temperatures — usually in combination with dehydration — which leads to failure of the body’s temperature control system Resulting in a core body temperature greater than 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
Symptoms of Heat Stroke
The hallmark symptom of heat stroke is a core body temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, but fainting may be the first sign, others symptoms are listed below.
- Throbbing headache
- Dizziness and light-headedness
- Lack of sweating
- Red, hot, and dry skin
- Muscle weakness or cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Confusion, disorientation, staggering
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
First Aid for Heat Stroke
Try these cooling strategies:
- Fan air over the patient while wetting his or her skin with water from a sponge or garden hose.
- Apply ice packs to the patient’s armpits, groin, neck, and back. Because these areas are rich with blood vessels close to the skin, cooling them may reduce body temperature.
- Immerse the patient in a shower or tub of cool water, or an ice bath.
- If emergency response is delayed, call the hospital emergency room for additional instructions.
Preventing Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke
When the heat index is high, it is best to stay in an air-conditioned environment. If you must go outdoors, you can prevent heat stroke by taking these steps:
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat.
- Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more.
- Drink extra fluids. To prevent dehydration, it’s generally recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water per day.
- Take additional precautions when exercising or working outdoors.
- If possible, reschedule or cancel outdoor activity or shift your time outdoors to the coolest times of the day, either early morning or after sunset.
- Monitoring the color of your urine. Darker urine is a sign of dehydration. Be sure to drink enough fluids to maintain very light-colored urine.
- Avoid fluids containing caffeine or alcohol, because both substances can make you lose more fluids and worsen heat-related illness.
- The safest way to replace salt and other electrolytes during heat waves is to drink sports beverages or fruit juice.