Heat Exhaustion
Emergency Care for Heat Stroke
The hot Texas weather should not be underestimated. Heat stroke can happen when the body gets overheated and can’t cool down on its own. If you’re feeling dehydrated, dizzy, or disoriented, our board-certified emergency room doctors can help.
Heat Stroke vs. Heat Exhaustion
When our bodies overheat (high body temperature), it can lead to risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke . The two conditions are very similar, but heat stroke is an emergency medical situation.
Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, dry mouth, heavy sweating, nausea, and weakness. Heat exhaustion can often be treated at home, by moving to a cooler environment and sipping water. However, you should seek medical attention if symptoms don’t improve after an hour. If the signs of heat exhaustion are not taken care of, it can lead to heat stroke.
A key difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke is that heat stroke can include an altered mental state or loss of consciousness. Confusion and fainting are both signs that the person is experiencing heat stroke and you should seek emergency care immediately.
What are the Signs of Heat Stroke?
Excessively high temperatures can quickly cause your body to overheat, even if you don’t feel like you’re doing strenuous activity. It’s easy for heat stroke, sometimes called sun stroke, to sneak up on you if you’re not watching for the symptoms. Knowing the signs and symptoms of heat stroke can help you take swift action to prevent serious health complications and make sure you get the fast medical help you need.
Common signs that your body is overheating include:
- Heavy sweating or clammy skin
- Muscle cramps (sometimes called heat cramps) or spasms, especially in the legs or abdomen
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness
Your condition can progress to heat stroke if you are unable to find shelter in a cool place and drink water. Seek emergency medical attention if you’re experiencing symptoms of heat stroke:
- Confusion or altered mental state
- Body temperature above 103ºF
- Racing pulse
- Loss of consciousness
