Heat exhaustion is a serious condition that can affect a person of any age. The term refers to the body’s inability to cool itself with sweat under extremely hot conditions. When the body is unable to reduce its temperature through sweating, a person may come down with heat exhaustion, and it’s important to be able to identify the symptoms so that treatment can be administered before serious health risks come into play. Here are three common symptoms of heat exhaustion.
Heavy Sweating
Heavy sweating is one of the first signs of heat exhaustion. It shows that the body is working extra hard to cool itself down. The body is using all of its liquid resources to achieve this task, and it will keep using sweat until there is no more for it to use. At that time, the symptoms of heat exhaustion will become worse.
Headache
Headache is one of the symptoms that come with the dehydration of heat exhaustion. Nausea may accompany the person’s headache. A person who has become dehydrated because of heat conditions should be cooled off and taken to a nearby hospital immediately. Heat stroke is a condition that comes from untreated heat exhaustion. Heat stroke can result in cardiac arrest and death.
Dizziness/Faintness
Faintness and dizziness are two signs of heat exhaustion. Such symptoms indicate that the brain is too hot, which is causing it to send faulty signals to other organs. A person who is feeling faint in hot conditions should assume that he or she is suffering from heat exhaustion, and that person should take the necessary precautions.
The best thing to do in a case of heat exhaustion is move to a cooler area or activate an air conditioner. Drinking lots of water can help to replenish the liquids that were lost. Ice chips and ice baths can assist a person who is having trouble cooling down. An ice pack should be placed under a person’s arms, on the back or neck, or in the groin area. A person who is exhibiting severe symptoms such as dry, hot skin, or loss of consciousness should be taken to an emergency room immediately.
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