Our body exerts internal heat by releasing sweat. Hot and humid weather can limit the absorption of sweat from the skin surface, restructuring the ability to reduce the body temperature. Dehydration happens when your body lacks essential salts and water levels, reducing its ability to sweat. When you are unable to regulate your body temperature, it can lead to a condition known as heat exhaustion.
Typically, there are two types of heat exhaustion:
Water Depletion: In this type of heat exhaustion, you will have increased thirst, weakness, headache, and loss of consciousness.
Salt Depletion: In this type, you will experience nausea, muscle cramps, and dizziness.
In this section, we will understand the heat exhaustion causes, treatment, and preventive measures. Let us begin with the symptoms of the condition.
Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion symptoms are often overlooked and are similar to several other health conditions. However, some common signs of heat exhaustion include:
Weak or rapid pulse
Excessive sweating
An increase in body temperature
Muscle weakness or cramps
Nausea
Headache
Dizziness
Low blood pressure
Vomiting
Irritation of aggressive behaviour
Red, flushed face
Rapid or shallow breathing patterns
In children, heat exhaustion symptoms are as follows:
Old children can experience stomach or leg cramps as symptoms of heat stress. It is best to get medical attention immediately when a child is suffering from heat exhaustion.
Causes of Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is usually a combination of physical exertion and hot weather conditions. However, there are additional factors that can cause heat exhaustion. These include:
High humidity (usually over 60 percent)
Liver or kidney issues
Intense workout regime
Underlying health issues that can pose a risk of dehydration, such as diabetes or hyperglycemia
Drug abuse
Heavy or long-term alcohol consumption
Smoking
A side effect of certain medications
High blood pressure
Heart-related diseases
Children below the age of 4 years are most likely to suffer from heat exhaustion during summer. Also, adults above the age of 65 years are at risk too. Let us take a look at the potential health complications arising due to heat exhaustion.
Health Complications due to Heat Exhaustion
Typically, heat exhaustion does not pose any health risks. However, if it is left untreated, it leads to heatstroke and other severe health issues. These include,
Severe kidney issues
Rhabdomyolysis, which causes kidney failure, irregular heart rate, muscle pain, vomiting, and more.
Liver failure
Arrhythmias
Delirium or coma
In case you are experiencing other health issues with clear signs of heat exhaustion, get in touch with your doctor immediately.
Treatment for Heat Exhaustion
If you are suffering from heat exhaustion due to physical exertion, it is best to stop the physical activity you are involved in immediately. Sit out from the workout set and drink plenty of water and electrolyte-based fluids.
Whether the condition is due to intense activities or hot weather, you can use the following tips for heat exhaustion treatment:
Seek a cool place or shaded area
Wear loose-fitted clothes, allowing air ventilation to the body
Lie flat on your back
Take a cool shower
Place a cool cloth on your face or chest
Use ice packs under armpits or behind the neck in extreme cases
Drink a lot of water
By following one or more of these treatment methods, symptoms of heat exhaustion start to improve in under 30 minutes. However, if you are still suffering from heat exhaustion after 30-60 minutes, it is best to consult a doctor.
The doctor will treat heat exhaustion by providing you with 1-2 litres of intravenous (IV) fluids and electrolytes. If IV fluids and resting does not resolve your heat exhaustion symptoms, the doctor recommends undergoing blood tests to understand other potential causes. Usually, when heat exhaustion is treated promptly, you should fully recover from it within 24-48 hours.
Prevention of Heat Exhaustion
A simple way to avoid suffering from heat exhaustion is by staying hydrated and cool during summer and intense physical activities. You can take the following preventive measures to avoid this condition.
Drink plenty of electrolyte-based fluids during workouts and hot weather conditions
Avoid exercising in direct sunlight during summer
Avoid prolonged exposure to sun heat
Wear loose-fitted and light-coloured clothes
Avoid sugary drinks and sodas
Avoid stress in your daily routine
Exercise in well-ventilated areas
Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Reapply the same often
Keep your body hydrated and maintain good personal hygiene overall
Conclusion
Heat exhaustion looks mild and does not typically pose any health risks. However, if it is untreated, you can suffer from heatstroke and other health issues. Taking prevention beforehand will allow you to avoid suffering from the condition altogether.
Furthermore, health concerns can arise at any time. Worsen health conditions may require immediate hospitalisation and intensive care for a full recovery. All this can get overwhelming for you and your family (mentally and financially). Thus, it is best to have a health insurance plan in place that takes care of sudden/planned medical and hospitalisation expenses.
