Self Care Articles

Is this your symptom?

• Symptoms after being in high temperatures. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke are covered
• Symptoms after hard work or sports during hot weather

Types of Heat Reactions

• There are 3 main reactions to hot temperatures and heat waves.
• Heatstroke or Sunstroke (serious). Symptoms are hot, flushed skin with fever greater than 105° F (40.5° C). More than 50% of people with heatstroke do not sweat. Heatstroke can cause confusion, coma or shock. It is a life-threatening emergency. It has a high death rate, if not treated quickly.
• Heat Exhaustion. Symptoms are pale skin, lots of sweating, and nausea. Dizziness, fainting, or weakness can also be signs. May have a mild fever 100 - 102° F (37.8 - 39° C) for a short time. But, most of the time, there is no fever. Most of these symptoms are caused by dehydration from sweating. A person can progress from heat exhaustion to heatstroke. So, all patients with severe symptoms (such as fainting) need to be seen now. Mild symptoms (such as dizziness) can be treated at home with fluids and rest. But, if symptoms don't go away with treatment, these patients also need to be seen.
• Heat Cramps. Symptoms are severe muscle cramps in the legs (calf or thigh muscles) and stomach. No fever. Tightness or spasms of the hands may occur. After the patient drinks fluids and cools down, he or she will feel better. All symptoms should go away in a few hours.

Causes of Heat Reactions

• All 3 reactions are caused by exposure to high temps, often with high humidity.
• Exertion. During hot weather, hard work or sports can cause heat production to exceed heat loss.
• Dehydration. Sweating during hot weather can cause sweat loss to exceed fluid intake. Not drinking enough fluids then limits sweating and increases the risk of heat reactions.
• Heat waves. The first heat wave of the summer can cause heat problems. It takes 8 to 10 days for you to become used to high summer temps. This sudden change in temperature can also happen on vacations.
• Being indoors without air-conditioning during heat waves is the main cause of heat stroke in the elderly.
• Health and risk factors. The elderly have a lower ability to sweat. Obese people have a lower ability to give off heat. People with heart or lung disease are less able to handle heat stress.