What is Heat Exhaustion?

Heat exhaustion is a serious heat disorder and develops as a result of an inability of the body to cool. Except in long-term, high heat, exposure of the body to high temperatures stimulates sweating in order to keep the body temperature at normal levels. However, in cases where this is extensive, the lost fluids and electrolytes contain most of the essential ones thereby causing dehydration. The circulatory system is able to go into action efficiently to pump the blood and the body temperature rises as the body gets dehydrated.


There are two types of major heat exhaustion:


  • Water loss: this occurs when the body loses too much of it leading to dehydration. It is defined by an augmentation of dehydration, lethargy and blackness of urine.
  • Salt depletion: The body is unable to provide adequate guidance of salt, due to excessive sweating. The symptoms are nausea, cramps in the muscles, and dizziness.

Such two heat exhaustions can be life-threatening, yet with proper hydration and cooling solutions, they can be resolved in most instances.


Causes of Heat Exhaustion

Oversweating at high temperatures is the major culprit of heat exhaustion especially when high temperatures are accompanied by high humidity levels thereby making the body unable to cool. The common causes and risks of heat exhaustion are:


  • Hot and humid weather: The sweating might not be able to cool down the body due to the high temperatures and moisture. The hot weather such as that encountered during summer months or in the sub-tropical regions augments the risk of heat exhaustion.
  • Vigorous exercise. This takes the form of intense bodily movements carried out in the hot weather, e.g. outdoor sports, manual labor or Exercise in the sun that can cause excessive perspiration and loss of water.
  • Dehydration: In a situation where fluid intake is inadequate either because of hot weather or exercises, dehydration can have an effect, which results in heat exhaustion.
  • Wearing heavy clothes: The hot weather causes the heavy, or non-breathable, clothing to leave the body incapable of giving out the heat as evaporation and affects the body cooling mechanisms ineffectively.
  • Health conditions: Certain diseases, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, can make the body perform an irregular task of regulating the temperature. Such patients are more likely to develop heat exhaustion.
  • Drugs: Some drugs can make the body worse in cooling itself like diuretics, antihistamines and beta-blockers, which increase the possibility of heat exhaustion.
  • Age and physical conditions: Infants, young children and the elderly are at higher risk of heat exhaustion since the body is not able to adapt as effectively to heat stress as other age groups. Second, physically unfit persons are also at risk, in case of heat.

Heat Exhaustion Symptoms

Heat exhaustion may be mild or severe and it may occur gradually, in a few hours or days. The most common of such signs and symptoms include:


  • Too much sweating: Sweat removes one of the cooling mechanism of the body and when one is sweating a lot due to high temperatures, this might lead to dehydration.
  • Weakness: dehydration and overheating can cause the body to feel weak, tired or dizzy and the energy level can significantly decrease.
  • Nausea and dizziness: Easing of the blood pressure and dehydration may result in a feeling of light headedness or dizziness, causing difficulty to stand, or concentrate.
  • Nausea or Vomiting: Dehydration and electrolytes, heat conditions, may lead to loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting.
  • Muscle cramps: Sweating can lead to loss of necessary electrolytes (because of long-term sweating), but this situation can make the arms, parts of legs or belly to cramp.
  • Pale, cool skin: Low circulation may lead to the skin being cool and pale in appearance and also the body failing to maintain an appropriate temperature.
  • Headache: Dehydration, over heat and headache can result in a dull or throbbing headache but is best regarded as heat exhaustion.
  • Radiating Heartbeat: An increase in heart rate is the attempt of the body to pump blood to cool the body and the outcome may be palpitations or racing heartbeat.

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When to Seek Medical Attention?

One may develop a more serious variant of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, which is life threatening. Not treated, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke that has to be sufficiently responded to by a physician. The following signs need to be treated in an emergency:


  • Anxiety or unconsciousness: In case the plant that is affected develops confusion, disorientation or insensibility, heat stroke is a potential possibility and it should be offered an emergency treatment.
  • Severe headache: A headache that is persistent and severe and is unresponsive to rest and hydration could be a symptom of heat stroke.
  • Pains in the chest or difficulty breathing: heat exhaustion signs combined with complications in breathing and pains in the chest amount to the set of symptoms that a medical worker ought to address.
  • Severe nausea and vomiting: Please drink can be an effect of heat stroke and this should be given urgent treatment as a patient might continue to vomit.

Just to be sure that an individual is in heat exhaustion or heat stroke, then you should always refer to the doctor.


Heat Exhaustion Treatment

Treatment of heat exhaustion involves the aim to cool the body, rehydrate, and replace electrolyte balance. Some of the general steps to be taken in heat exhaustion treatment include the following:


  • Alter the setting: The first thing to do is to take the affected out of hot and humid climate and get him/her into a cool and shady environment. In case it is indoors then you need air-conditioning or fans that would cool the room temperature.
  • Hydrate: Body is deprived of fluids, and thus must be rehydrated. Water is better although to replace lost electrolytes, an electrolyte solution, sports drinks, or even coconut water can help. Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages are not allowed because they will only worsen the condition of dehydration.
  • Cool the body: Add cold compresses, cold towels or fan to the body to lower the temperature. Where possible, give the person a cool bath or shower so that he or she can cool down.
  • Rest: Speak to the person affected so as to have some rest and avoid hard work until such a time when they can fully bounce back.
  • Watch out or change in symptoms: Note in case of persistent or progressive symptoms, seek medical care as soon as possible to prevent the condition progressing to heat stroke.

Preventing Heat Exhaustion

Avoidance of heat exhaustion occurs due to precautions observed when it is hot. Some of the tips that can be adopted in order to prevent heat exhaustion include:


  • Stay hydrated: Consume large amounts of fluids, especially water, throughout the day. Consumption of fluids ought to be enhanced when one is physically engaged in exercises or when subjected to heat [such as in hot seasons].
  • Avoid sunshine: Keep out of the sun, except when it is absolutely necessary, especially during the hottest time of the day, between 10 am and 4 pm. Rest regularly in the shade when doing outdoor activities.
  • Dress: Wear light and loose garments and light colours which the body cools. Never wear heavy and large garments, which may bring in heat.
  • Rest: Take frequent rests; particularly when you are doing physical exercise, or it is hot weather, to re-hydrate.
  • Avoid using fans: Don heating: Switch on fans or air conditioning to warm indoors. You can go to a shopping mall, library or community center when you are in a place where you do not have access to air conditioning to keep cool.

Conclusion

Heat exhaustion is a preventable disease however, is complex to severe health issues unless treated. The development of medicines that prevent overheating and mass hydration through taking measures as soon as the body starts to show indications of heat flow can help most people to cope with the heat without problems. Still, it is better to be aware of the risk factors and take some precautionary measures to remain safe in hot weather.


Please book an appointment with the best General Physician in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.