Introduction
Heat exhaustion is a condition caused by exposure to extreme heat. Heat exhaustion means that your body is too hot. Your body cools itself by sweating. When your body cannot cool down, you could develop heat exhaustion. Untreated heat exhaustion could lead to heat stroke. Heat stroke can be deadly.
Elderly adults have a greater risk for heat exhaustion than younger adults. Other adults who may be at higher risk are those who are overweight, have high blood pressure, or have heart disease. People who work or exercise outside in hot weather have the highest risk.
Early warning signs of heat exhaustion are:
Weakness.
Fatigue.
Stomachache.
Arm pain.
Leg cramps.
If you get these symptoms, stop your activity and get out of the heat. …show more content…
Make sure elderly friends or family members have access to air-conditioning on very hot days. Remind them to drink enough hydrating fluids. Check on them at least twice a day if you can.
Where to find more information:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html
American Academy of Family Physicians, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke: https://familydoctor.org/condition/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Heat Injury and Heat Exhaustion: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/heat-injury-and-heat-exhaustion
Contact a health care provider if:
You have signs or symptoms of heat exhaustion that last more than one hour.
Get immediate medical attention or call 911 if you have signs of heat stroke. These include:
Body temperature of 103 degrees or higher.
Hot, dry, red skin.
Fast, thumping pulse.
Confusion.
Loss of consciousness.
Summary
Heat exhaustion happens when your body gets overheated and cannot cool down.
Follow safety tips to prevent heat exhaustion.
Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and what to do if you have these signs and
Heat exhaustion is a condition caused by exposure to extreme heat. Heat exhaustion means that your body is too hot. Your body cools itself by sweating. When your body cannot cool down, you could develop heat exhaustion. Untreated heat exhaustion could lead to heat stroke. Heat stroke can be deadly.
Elderly adults have a greater risk for heat exhaustion than younger adults. Other adults who may be at higher risk are those who are overweight, have high blood pressure, or have heart disease. People who work or exercise outside in hot weather have the highest risk.
Early warning signs of heat exhaustion are:
Weakness.
Fatigue.
Stomachache.
Arm pain.
Leg cramps.
If you get these symptoms, stop your activity and get out of the heat. …show more content…
Make sure elderly friends or family members have access to air-conditioning on very hot days. Remind them to drink enough hydrating fluids. Check on them at least twice a day if you can.
Where to find more information:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html
American Academy of Family Physicians, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke: https://familydoctor.org/condition/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Heat Injury and Heat Exhaustion: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/heat-injury-and-heat-exhaustion
Contact a health care provider if:
You have signs or symptoms of heat exhaustion that last more than one hour.
Get immediate medical attention or call 911 if you have signs of heat stroke. These include:
Body temperature of 103 degrees or higher.
Hot, dry, red skin.
Fast, thumping pulse.
Confusion.
Loss of consciousness.
Summary
Heat exhaustion happens when your body gets overheated and cannot cool down.
Follow safety tips to prevent heat exhaustion.
Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and what to do if you have these signs and