Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke?
With average daily heat indexes rising these days, more and more people are experiencing heat-related afflictions. Topping the roster of such afflictions is heat exhaustion, which, if left unchecked, could lead to heat stroke, which could be life-threatening. Thus, it is important to know about the telltale signs that differentiates heat exhaustion from heat stroke.
Heat Exhaustion
As a heat-related condition caused by being exposed to high temperatures, heat exhaustion is mostly tied with the heat index, which is a measurement of how hot one feels when the effects of air temperature and relative humidity rises to a point wherein the body’s capacity to cool down is hampered by sweat evaporation.
Heat exhaustion is generally linked with dehydration, and is classified under two tiers: water depletion (warning signs of which include, excessive thirst, headache, weakness and loss of consciousness) or salt depletion (signs of which include dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting).
Heat exhaustion’s general symptoms also includes increased sweating, rapid heartbeat rates but weak pulse, paleness, fatigue, and dark colored urine (one of the signs of dehydration).
Healthcare providers note that cooling down as soon as possible is the best remedy for heat exhaustion, which covers immediately getting out of the heat, drinking liquids (sports drinks are advisable), removing any constrictive clothing, or applying cooling implements like iced towels/ice packs.
If such remedies are ineffective in providing relief in 30 minutes to an hour, it is best to seek medical aid, since untreated heat exhaustion could progress to heat stroke.
Heat Stroke
Healthcare providers generally agree that both heat exhaustion and heat stroke are heat-related afflictions that should be taken seriously. Heat stroke, though, tends to be more serious of the two, since it could cause damage to the body’s internal systems.
Like heat exhaustion, heat stroke can be caused by prolonged exposure to heat, and its general warning signs include body temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, a racing heartbeat with strong pulse, hot dry skin, slurred speech, and confusion. A throbbing headache is also a heat stroke warning sign, as well as the absence of sweating while experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms.
Heat stroke has two types: exertional and non-exertional. Exertional heat stroke affects individuals whose bodies are having a hard time adapting to rising temperatures while engaging in physical activity, while non-exertional heat stroke affects those who have a hard time adapting to increasing temperatures without necessarily being engaged in physical activity.
Generally, cases of exertional heat stroke can progress in a span of hours, while non-exertional heat stroke can occur in a span of several days of experiencing rising temperatures even if one doesn’t regularly spend time outdoors.
Seeking medical aid is the best course of action when dealing with a heat stroke case. If left unchecked, heat stroke can cause damage to the brain and nervous system, the circulatory system, lungs, liver, kidneys and muscles.