Heat Stroke vs Heat Exhaustion

Don’t overdo it. Keep heat stroke away this summer.

Summer is synonymous with fun in the sun. But as temperatures and humidity rise, and you’re golfing, biking and swimming, it’s good to know how to protect yourself from heat illness.

Excessive heat can lead to dehydration and can make you feel a little woozy. You might want to keep pushing through, but that dizziness could be a sign of heat exhaustion.

“Your body temperature rises faster when you’re out in the heat, which could cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke,” says George Avetian, DO , family medicine physician at Geisinger 65 Forward. “Sweat is your body’s natural way to cool you down, but if it’s humid, you’re dehydrated or exercising too strenuously, your body may not be able to produce enough sweat.”

Infants and people ages 65 or older, especially those with chronic conditions, are most at risk for heat illness. However, it can affect anyone, even if you’re a young athlete and in good physical shape.

So, don’t let the heat get to you this summer. Most heat illness can be prevented by taking proper precautions and recognizing early warning signs. Here’s what you need to know about heat-related illnesses:

Heat exhaustion symptoms

Heat exhaustion can develop over several days if you’re exposed to high temperatures and don’t hydrate properly. While it isn’t typically life-threatening, it should be treated immediately.

“Heat exhaustion results from loss of water and salt in the body,” says Dr. Avetian. “It’s typically caused by heavy sweating and is an early stage of heat stroke.”

Heat exhaustion symptoms include:

Excessive thirst
Weakness or fatigue
Dizziness or fainting
Headaches
Heavy sweating
Muscle cramping
Nausea
Slow or weakened heartbeat

You might also have goosebumps and feel cold — even while you’re still out in the heat.

Heat stroke symptoms

If you ignore the signs of heat exhaustion, it could progress to heat stroke, which can be life-threatening.

“Heat stroke occurs when your body becomes unable to regulate its temperature,” says Dr. Avetian. “And unlike heat exhaustion, heat stroke requires immediate medical attention.”

Heat stroke symptoms include:

Confusion, slurred speech
Headache
Excessive nausea or vomiting
Not sweating (hot and dry skin)
Rapid pulse and heart rate
Rapid, shallow breathing
Seizure
Body temperature of 104° F or higher

In the most severe cases, heat stroke could make you lose consciousness.

Heat stroke and heat exhaustion treatment

If you have signs of heat illness, stop what you’re doing immediately to cool down and rest. Call 911 if you have heat stroke symptoms.

To cool down, Dr. Avetian recommends the following steps:

If possible, move indoors with circulating air from a fan or air conditioner. If that’s not possible, find a shaded spot.
Loosen or take off as much clothing as possible.
Place cool, wet towels on your forehead, neck, armpits and groin to help lower your body temperature.
If you’re fully conscious, drink water, fruit juice or a sports drink with electrolytes to hydrate. Try for about 4 ounces of fluid every 15 minutes.

“For severe cases, try immersing the person in cold water or spraying them with a hose until medical help arrives,” he says.

Tips to avoid heat illness

The best thing you can do? Protect yourself from the heat in the first place.

It’s not always easy — or fun — to stay inside. Especially if the kids or grandkids are out playing. But to lessen your chances of heat illness, Dr. Avetian suggests:

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcoholic or caffeinated beverages because they can lead to dehydration. When it’s hot, your body needs more water than usual because you lose more fluids through sweating.
Adjust your activities according to the weather. On excessively hot days, save outdoor activity for the morning or late evening, not during peak heat hours, to lessen your chances of heat-related illness.
Take frequent breaks. If you must be out during peak heat hours, seek shade as much as possible and take frequent breaks to cool down and rehydrate.
Protect against sunburn. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and wear protective clothing. Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool itself.
Wear loose, lightweight fabrics and light-colored clothing. Tight-fitted clothing doesn’t allow the body to breathe and cool properly.

Another piece of advice for the dog days of summer: “If you’re taking regular medications, consult with your physician or pharmacist,” says Dr. Avetian. Why? Because some medications cause an adverse reaction in hot weather, while others may not work as well in the heat.

When you’re inside, close the shades or curtains in your house or apartment, and remember to leave a window open when using a fan. Try not to shower or bathe in water that’s too hot to avoid raising your body temperature.

“Remember that the very young and the elderly are most vulnerable to excessive heat,” says Dr. Avetian. “So, check on your friends and neighbors frequently and notify authorities if you’re concerned.” And never leave children, pets or anyone else unattended in closed vehicles.

Being prepared will help you act fast in case of emergency — or avoid heat illness all together.