What is Heat Exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are separate but related conditions, which can both be serious if not treated quickly.
t exhaustion occurs when your body’s core temperature rises above normal, reducing the levels of salt and water in the body.
Heatstroke occurs when the body can no longer cool itself and starts to overheat, and the cells in the body begin to break down. If left untreated it can lead to organ failure and brain damage, making it a medical emergency.
How common is Heat Exhaustion?
Heatstroke and heat exhaustion can affect anyone, but some people are more at risk than others, including children under two, elderly people, people with circulation problems, and people with diabetes.
What are the symptoms of Heat Exhaustion?
Symptoms of heat exhaustion can develop rapidly, and can include hot skin that feels flushed, heavy sweating, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat, and mental confusion.
The symptoms of heatstroke can develop over several days, and include a high body temperature, heavy sweating that suddenly stops, a rapid heartbeat, hyperventilation and muscle cramps.
How is Heat Exhaustion treated?
A sufferer of heat exhaustion should rest in a cool place, drink plenty of fluids, avoid alcohol or caffeine, cool their skin with a wet flannel, and loosen clothing. If the person does not respond within 30 minutes, call an ambulance.
An ambulance should always be called in cases of suspected heatstroke. In the meantime, the sufferer should be moved somewhere cool, drink water, and showered with cool but not cold water. If the person is unconscious they should be placed in the recovery position. They will then have their temperature lowered as quickly as possible.
If you have not received treatment or advice, or suffered any symptoms in the past five years choose a moratorium product.