Heat Stroke
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stoppler, MD
Medical Editors: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR, Dennis Lee, MD
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How to Recognize a Heat–Related Illness
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
 During a heat wave, it's important to know and be able to
recognize the signs and symptoms of a heat-related illness. There are different
types of heat-related illnesses, ranging from those that cause temporary
discomfort to the generally fatal condition known as heat stroke. In all heat-related
illnesses, the symptoms appear when a person is exposed to extreme temperatures.
The following checklist can help you recognize the symptoms of heat-related
illnesses:
- Heat Rash: Heat rash is a
skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather. It can
occur at any age but is most common in young children. Heat rash looks like a
red cluster of pimples or small
blisters.
- Heat cramps: A person who has been exercising or participating in
other types of strenuous activity in the heat may develop painful muscle
spasms in the arms, legs, or abdomen referred to as
heat rash. The body
temperature is usually normal, and the skin will feel moist and cool, but
sweaty.
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What is heat stroke?
Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia,
an abnormally
elevated body temperature
with accompanying physical and neurological symptoms.
Unlike heat cramps and heat exhaustion, two forms of hyperthermia
that are less severe,
heat stroke is a true
medical emergency that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated.
The body normally generates heat as a result of
metabolism, and is usually able to dissipate the heat by either radiation of heat through
the skin or by evaporation of sweat. However, in extreme heat, high humidity, or vigorous
exertion under the sun, the body may not be able to dissipate the heat and the
body temperature rises, sometimes up to 106°F (41.1°C) or higher.
Another cause of heat stroke is dehydration. A dehydrated person may not be able
to sweat fast enough to dissipate heat, which causes the body temperature to
rise.
Those most susceptible to heart strokes include:
- infants,
- the elderly (often with associated
heart diseases, lung diseases,
kidney diseases, or who are taking medications that make them vulnerable to heat
strokes),
- athletes, and
- outdoor workers physically exerting themselves under the sun.
What are heat stroke symptoms?
Symptoms of heat stroke can sometimes mimic those of
heart attack or other conditions. Sometimes a person experiences symptoms
of heat exhaustion before progressing to heat strokes.
Symptoms of
heat exhaustion include:
However, some individuals can develop symptoms of heat stroke suddenly and
rapidly without warning.
Different people may have different symptoms and signs of heat stroke. But
common symptoms and signs of heat stroke include:
- high body temperature
- the absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry
skin
- rapid pulse
- difficulty breathing
- strange behavior
- hallucinations
- confusion
- agitation
- disorientation
- seizure
- coma
Next: How do you treat a heat stroke victim? »
- Electrolytes - Read about blood electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicorbonate) and the effects of electrolyte imbalances like kidney failure, low blood pressure, hypokalemia, and hyperkalemia.
- Low Blood Pressure - Learn about low blood pressure (hypotension). Low blood pressure is blood pressure below normal and symptoms may include: lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting upon standing (orthostatic hypotension). There are many causes of low blood pressure, and treatment is dependant upon the cause.
- Dehydration - Read about dehydration (definition: excessive water loss) in children, treatment, symptoms (thirst, dry mouth, dark urine) and causes (vomiting, diarrhea).
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Introduction to dizziness (feeling dizzy)
Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms that will
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difficult to define because it can mean different things to different people. Does feeling dizzy refer to lightheadedness, the feeling of weakness and almost passing out, or does it
refer to vertigo (in
which the room or the person seems to spin)?
Dizziness (lightheadedness) is often caused by a decrease in blood supply to the brain,
while vertigo is caused by disturbances of the inner ear and the balance centers
of the brain.
It is necessary for patients and health care practitioners to work together
to understand the specific symptoms a patient is experiencing in order to make
the correct
diagnosis and treatment.
What are some common causes of dizziness?
While classifying dizziness into physiologic categories may help understand
...
Read the Dizziness article »
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