Signs and Symptoms of Heat-related Illnesses

With temperatures rising, health officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourage you to learn the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses. These can cause a person to become confused or lose consciousness. Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. The body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided. Warning signs of heat stroke vary but may include an extremely high body temperature, red, hot, and dry skin, no sweating, rapid pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and unconsciousness. If you see any of these signs, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the victim. Get the victim to a shady area and cool the victim rapidly, using whatever methods you can. Get medical assistance as soon as possible. Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate replacement of fluids. The warning signs of heat exhaustion are heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting and fainting. The skin may be cool and moist. The pulse rate will be fast and weak, and breathing will be fast and shallow. If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to heat stroke. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than one hour. Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others; infants and young children, people 65 years of age or older, people who are overweight, people who overexert during work or exercise, and people who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation.