Guide To Prevent and Treat Heat Exhaustion

The increase in the body temperature induces symptoms like excessive perspiration, loss of strength, headache and cramps in the muscles. The patient may also be nauseated and may vomit. During this illness, the person's sweat glands overwork causing him to perspire profusely. That is why heat exhaustion is frequently connected with dehydration.

Heat exhaustion is especially critical as it can lead to heat stroke. If the rise in the body temperature reaches an extreme level collapsing the control systems, the person will suffer a heat stroke.

The symptoms of heat stroke are slightly more acute than they are in heat exhaustion. The person will experience lethargy, disorientation and seizures. The person ceases to perspire while their core temperature crosses 106 degrees Fahrenheit.

The treatment of this illness begins with identifying its symptoms. If the sufferer is outdoors in the sun or working rigorously in hot surroundings, the symptoms should be treated urgently. The treatment begins by ceasing work and shifting them to cooler surroundings. However, care should be taken that the changed environment is not too cool for the patient's comfort or else they may suffer shock.

The next step to treat this illness is dehydration. To ensure adequate hydration and lowering the internal temperature, the sufferer is given cold water or sports drink. Though, the treatment can be provided at home, medical care must be sought if necessary. Since heat exhaustion commonly involves vomiting and nausea, administration of fluids intravenously may become essential. If steps like hydration and stretching fail to provide relief from muscle cramps, medical attention is highly necessary. In case, the patient starts showing symptoms of heat stroke too, emergency medical care should be sought instantly.

To avoid heat exhaustion, laborious activities should not be undertaken in extremely hot or humid surroundings. If the activities cannot be avoided and cooler surroundings are not available, the person should work at a slower pace resting repeatedly in a cooler environment and drinking cool liquids sufficiently. If the person's urine is thick, dark-hued, highly odorous, or if not urinating at all, it is likely that dehydration has set in. Therefore, lots of fluid should be consumed to prevent other heat-associated illnesses and the possible effects of dehydration.

I have been in the health and fitness industry for over eight years. I began my career as a dance teacher then moved into personal training, group exercise, and director positions soon after. I have a Bachelors of Science in Sports Management and I am certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine.