Heatstroke symptoms

What Are Heat Emergencies? Heat emergencies are health crises caused by exposure to hot weather and sun. Heat emergencies have three stages: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. All three stages of heat emergency are serious. If you live in hot climates or play sports in the summertime, you should know how to spot the symptoms of heat emergency. Getting treatment in the early stages of this condition can prevent heat stroke. Heat stroke can be fatal or cause lifelong complications. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if heat illness is causing vomiting, seizures, or unconsciousness. Heat Cramps Heat cramps are the first stage of heat emergency. They usually happen when you’ve been physically active in the heat, but they can also occur if you haven’t been active. Heat cramps are especially likely in the elderly or small children, overweight people, and people who have been drinking alcohol. Muscle pain and tightness are symptoms of heat cramps. Heat Exhaustion Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: • muscle cramps • dizziness • mild confusion • fast heart rate or breathing • headache • irritability • extreme thirst • nausea or vomiting • pale skin • heavy sweating • fainting Heatstroke With heatstroke, all the symptoms of heat exhaustion may be present, plus: • body temperature over 104°F • irrational behavior or hallucinations • confusion • rapid, shallow breathing • rapid, weak pulse • seizures • loss of consciousness • dry skin Sweating may be present in heatstro...

Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. How to recognize early heat stroke symptoms and cool your body down Heat stroke can occur when your core body temperature reaches 104°F or higher, and your body is unable to cool itself down. "This is one of those rare, true athletic emergencies," says Before someone experiences heat stroke, they will feel If heat exhaustion escalates to heat stroke, here's how you can recognize the symptoms and how to treat them. Quick tip: To tell the difference between heat illnesses, check out our guide to Heat stroke symptoms: 4 tell-tale signs Along with a • Mental confusion or slurred speech. When body temperature gets above 104°F, proteins in the brain can start to break down, which can trigger changes in mental status. "They will be very confused and not be able to carry on a normal conversation with you," Scott says. • Unconsciousness. Fainting can be a sign of heat exhaustion, but you should be able to wake someone with heat exhaustion fairly easily, Scott says. That isn't the case with heatstroke. "If they're passed out and not able to be awoken if they're hot and their core temperature is elevated, then you should strongly consider heatstroke," he says. • Rapid hea...

Heat exhaustion is one of the heat-related syndromes. These syndromes range in severity and seriousness from mild to potentially life-threatening. Other types of heat-related illnesses include heat rash, heat cramps, heat syncope and heatstroke. Heat exhaustion can occur when your body loses too much water or salt — usually as a result of excessive sweating or dehydration. It can begin suddenly or happen over time, usually after working, exercising or playing in the heat. Heat exhaustion signs and symptoms include: • Cool, moist skin with goose bumps when in the heat • Heavy sweating • Faintness • Dizziness • Fatigue • Weak, rapid pulse • Low blood pressure upon standing • Muscle cramps • Nausea or vomiting • Headache • Extreme thirst • Mild confusion • Decreased urine output If you suspect heat exhaustion Untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke, which is a life-threatening condition. If you suspect heat exhaustion, take these steps immediately: • Move the person out of the heat and into a shady or air-conditioned place. • Lay the person down and elevate the legs and feet slightly. • Remove tight or heavy clothing. • Have the person sip chilled water, a decaffeinated sports drink containing electrolytes or other nonalcoholic beverage without caffeine. • Cool the person by spraying or sponging with cool water and fanning. • Monitor the person carefully. Contact a health care provider if signs or symptoms worsen or if the person doesn't improve after taking first-a...

Troy Mensen is a family medicine doctor based in Chicago. He received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine and holds a certification in family medicine from the American Board of Family Medicine. He is licensed by the State of Illinois Medical Examining Board. "It's the kind that we see particularly among the elderly, in very young children, like babies, and when we see these heat waves that go on for several days," says Dr. Korin Hudson, an emergency room physician with MedStar Health. Here's what to know if you or someone around you starts experiencing symptoms of heatstroke. Heatstroke symptoms Sometimes, heatstroke can start with symptoms of heat exhaustion, which isn't quite as serious as heatstroke, but still requires someone to cool down as quickly as possible. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include nausea, headache, cold skin, a fast or weak pulse and other signs. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke, which is a medical emergency. If your symptoms worsen, last more than one hour or you start vomiting, call 911. Symptoms of heatstroke, according to the • Altered mental state, including confusion, agitation and slurred speech • Hot, flushed, usually dry skin (if your heatstroke was brought on by exercise, it may be damp or dry, the Clinic says) • Headache • Seizures • Very high body temperature (104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) • Rapid breathing • Racing heart beat Keeping hydrated by Pet...

Heat exhaustion happens when your body overheats and can’t cool itself down. It usually results from physical activity in hot weather. Symptoms include dizziness, confusion and nausea. They usually improve by drinking water and resting in a cool place. Untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke, a life-threatening condition. Overview What is heat exhaustion? Heat exhaustion happens when your body overheats (gets too hot) and can’t cool itself down. Your body can overheat during exercise or any physical activity, especially in hot, humid weather. During physical activity, your body loses fluids through sweat. If you don’t replace those fluids by drinking water or other liquids, you can become dehydrated. Dehydration can also put you at risk for heat exhaustion. Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include dizziness, headache, nausea, muscle cramps and others. Treatment includes removal from the heat, rest and fluids. Untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke, which can be a life-threatening condition. How common is heat exhaustion? Heat exhaustion and other types of • Age: Older people and young children have a higher chance of getting heat exhaustion. People over 65 and children under four can’t regulate their body temperature as easily. They are also more likely to get • Alcohol use: Dehydration can result from drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Dehydration increases the risk of heat exhaustion. Alcohol also makes it difficult for you to control your body te...