It is not uncommon to have high summer temperatures in the United States. While some individuals love it, others loathe it. No matter if you love or hate it, you need to take into consideration that you could possibly endure heat stroke. If you are unsure what heat stroke is, keep reading to find out the differences between this and heat exhaustion.
Exposure to high temps can be very dangerous to various individuals. Heat is, in fact, the leading cause of death in the US when dealing with weather. This is why it is imperative to understand what heat stroke and exhaustion are, as well as what the differences are between the two.
Per the Mayo Clinic, this condition is common during the summer months. Anyone who suspects they have heat stroke should receive medical care immediately. This ailment has the potential to damage an individual’s brain, kidneys, heart, and muscles. The longer a person waits, the more common it is to have complications or death occur.
Heat stroke is caused when the body overheats itself. Many will have it occur after doing physical labor outdoors on a hot day, such as pushing a lawn mower for a long duration. Others may find they have it after playing a game of basketball or softball. If the body is allowed to rise to 104 degrees Fahrenheit or more, there is a great chance of this ailment.
Other elements should also be taken into consideration when dealing with heat stroke. If you are drinking alcohol, or have not had enough water to drink, or you are wearing too many clothes, can make the condition worse.
Signs of a heat stroke include:
- High body temperature (103 or higher)
- Slurred speech
- Muscle weakness/cramps
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Hot, red, dry, flushed, or damp skin
- Confusion
- Passing out or losing consciousness
- Fast, strong pulse
- Nausea
- Rapid breathing
- Seizures
- Coma
- Irritation
- Disorientated
If you believe you or someone you are close to is having a heat stroke, call 911immediately. As you wait for medical assistance to come, help the individual cool off by taking them indoors if possible, or at least to a cooler location. You may also try to decrease their body temp with a cool bath or cool clothes. You can look around to see if a hose is available, or set them in a kiddie pool of water. If a fan is available, place this on them, and mist them with a squirt bottle. The CDC states it’s crucial to not give a person who might be suffering from a heat stroke anything to drink. While this sounds counterintuitive, you need to remain there for medical assistance to reach the person first.
Signs of heat exhaustion include:
- Heavy sweating
- Dizziness
- Muscle cramps
- Headache
- Passing out or fainting
- Tiredness or weakness
- Cold, pale, clammy skin
- Fast, weak pulse
- Nausea or vomiting
As soon as you notice a person is having heat exhaustion, prepare to cool them down. They may have small sips of water, and a cool bath may be taken. Cool, wet washcloths can be placed on their body. If this person does start to vomit, they need to get to the hospital asap. If the person’s heat exhaustion lasts more than 60 minutes, or they get worse, you need to seek medical care.
While the warm weather may feel good on our skin, spending too much time outdoors in high temps can cause more damage than good. If you believe you are experiencing heat stroke or exhaustion, Countryside Hearing Aid Services in Clearwater, FL recommend you seek medical attention if you are not able to get it under control yourself.
