What is Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion happens when your body gets overheated from hot weather or from exercise. Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, a life-threatening condition that requires emergency care.

Heat exhaustion is more likely to develop when:

• You are exercising or being active.
• You are in hot or humid weather.
• You are in bright sunshine.
• You are not drinking enough water.

It is important to take care of yourself and treat heat exhaustion as soon as possible. Untreated heat exhaustion can turn into heat stroke, which is a life-threatening condition that requires urgent medical treatment.

What increases the risk?

This condition is more likely to develop in:

• People who exercise in hot or humid weather.
• People who exercise beyond their fitness level.
• People who wear clothing that does not allow sweat to evaporate.
• People who are dehydrated.
• People who drink a lot of alcoholic beverages or beverages that have caffeine. This can lead to dehydration.
• People who are age 65 or older.
• Children.
• People who have a medical condition such as heart disease, poor circulation, sickle cell disease, or high blood pressure.
• People who have a fever.
• People who are very overweight (obese).

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Heavy sweating along with feeling weak, dizzy, light-headed, and nauseous.
• Rapid heartbeat.
• Headache.
• Urine that is darker than normal.
• Muscle cramps, such as in the leg or side (flank).
• Moist, cool, and clammy skin.
• Fatigue.
• Thirst.
• Confusion.
• Fainting.

Follow these instructions at home:

If you think that you have heat exhaustion, call your health care provider. Follow his or her instructions. You should also:

• Call a friend or a family member and ask him or her to stay with you.
• Move to a cooler location, such as:
  • Into the shade.
  • In front of a fan.
  • An air-conditioned space.
• Lie down and rest.
• Slowly drink nonalcoholic, caffeine-free fluids.
• Take off tight clothing or extra clothing.
• Take a cool bath or shower, if possible. If you do not have access to a bath or shower, dab or mist cool water on your skin.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your symptoms last longer than 30 minutes.

Get help right away if:

• You have any symptoms of heat stroke. These include:
  • Fever.
  • Vomiting.
  • Red skin.
  • Inability to sweat, resulting in hot, dry skin.
  • Excessive thirst.
  • Rapid breathing.
  • Headache.
  • Confusion or disorientation.
  • Fainting.
  • Seizures.

These symptoms may represent a serious problem that is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services. Do not drive yourself to the hospital.