Patient Comments: Heat Exhaustion - Symptoms
Question:What were the symptoms of your heat exhaustion?
Comment from: Shari, 45-54 Female
Published: June 07
I experienced heat exhaustion while at an air show. I drank three or four bottles of water but didn't need to use the bathroom. Although we were just sitting and watching the action, I had a headache and felt fatigued and lightheaded. When we got back to our hotel room, I cranked the air conditioning up as high as it could go, applied a cold washcloth to my head and slept for about half an hour. I felt much better but was still tired for the rest of the evening.
Comment from: LanaLou, 25-34 Female (Patient)
Published: May 20
I took an aerobics class at my gym, and I did stop frequently to march in place and tried not to overdo it. About an hour later, I had a blinding headache and I projectile vomited multiple times. After the initial vomiting, I slowly sipped water. Normally, I do not eat carbohydrates because I have insulin issues, but the best solution that someone told me for replenishing electrolytes in an emergency is water and salty French fries. It worked like a charm. I didn't mind eating the fries, either! There are lots of fast food places open 24 hours if this happens at night, like it did to me. Related Medications: insulin
Comment from: OHP, 25-34 Male (Caregiver)
Published: May 10
I work in an occupational setting where people work with kilns five days a week, nine hours each day, in temperatures up to 42° C (about 107° F). Besides exhaustion, I would like to know if this heat condition could cause erectile dysfunction.
Comment from: Oz_Hiker, 45-54 Female (Patient)
Published: March 07
I was hiking with a backpack. We started 11:30 am and it was around 28 degrees Celsius. The first bit was straight up and within 40 minutes I had heat exhaustion but continued anyway. The rest of the trip was a nightmare. I was sweating profusely - enough that for 6 hours my piggy tails produced streams of water when rung out. My muscles were exhausted and extremely tight. I was down to pin steps by the end of the trip. I only experienced a feeling of boiling up and dizziness in the early stages. I drank two liters of water - although not vomiting when I drank I felt ill so I just sipped water from the camel pack. Whilst my travelling partner did not experience any symptoms she was much worse off the following day experiencing the muscle exhaustion I had the previous day while I was recovered although stiff.
Comment from: Pedals, 35-44 Male (Patient)
Published: August 28
I was at a football game yesterday and in the direct sun for about 5 hours. I was sweating and kept getting goose bumps, my body was not sure what to do. I drank water, but not enough to keep up obviously. We left the game and I noticed on the way home that the muscle in my neck was starting to cramp and throb, making my vision poor. I was light-headed and nauseated to the point of vomiting. I luckily made it home and proceeded to get sick. I jumped in the shower quickly to cool down and laid down immediately. The muscle in my neck was so cramped and making my whole body sick. I applied ice but still continued to vomit. I slept for a few hours and then went to bed for the night. This morning I continue to feel weak, but the nausea has gone away. I rehydrated with a sports drink and tried to get some water in but had to be careful/slow because of my continual vomiting.
Comment from: Tizzy, 35-44 Female (Patient)
Published: July 06
I walked in a fourth of July parade with my son, it was over 96 degrees and very humid. I sweat a lot normally but the heat caused me to be drenched in sweat to the point my clothing was wet. I kept drinking water but after being in the heat for over 3 hours and walking 5 miles, it was impossible to stay hydrated. I began to get light-headed and weak and got a headache once I got in the car and was nauseous. Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Heat Exhaustion - Causes
Question: If you've experienced heat exhaustion, what were the causes?
Heat Exhaustion - Medical Care
Question: If you experienced heat exhaustion, what type of medical care did you receive?
Heat Exhaustion - Complications
Question: What complications did you have after experiencing heat exhaustion?
Heat Exhaustion - Treatments
Question: What treatment did you receive for your heat exhaustion?
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I am 65. My wife and I walked the Sweetwater to Wasson Peak route yesterday, 1/1/12. It was an 80 degree cloudless winter day in Tucson. It is a 9.2 mile hike over extremely rugged rocky terrain. Every step has to be measured or else one could fall on rocks or cactus. It was about a 2000 foot rise. I brought along a camelback filled with water but unfortunately I didn't drink enough for the 5 hour and 20 minute hike. Today I am quite sick, my head is swimming and I am weak. I think it is heat exhaustion. The rule is that one must drink. I probably only consumed about 16 ounces of water while I should have consumed about 4x that much.