S2 Ep104: Know the Signs: Heat Exhaustion vs Heat Stroke

Everyday Health Hacker by Dr. Liza Leal

Update from 2023:
Heat exhaustion is less serious than heatstroke also sometimes called sunstroke.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion can occur quickly or over a few days.
Many patients will call complaining of leg cramping here is a list of symptoms:
Heat exhaustion can lead to:
- headaches
- muscle cramping
- nausea and vomiting
- excessive sweating and cold clammy skin
- on occasion a decreased pulse and feelings of weakness
- dizziness and sometimes fainting
- dark-colored urine can occur from dehydration
It's important to note that heat exhaustion can be alleviated with hydration and moving to cooler temperatures indoors.
Heatstroke is a life threatening medical emergency and your body's temperature can rise to 104 or more. It needs immediate treatment and we encourage you to call 911. Heat stroke affects the brain and nervous system which can lead to serious injury.
It also affects your organs. Immediate attention is required. When a person has reached this level they usually have stopped sweating, as their body's ability to cool is now disabled they are more likely to faint as well as have the symptoms arriving from heat exhaustion.
Instead of a weak pulse, the body responds with a racing heart beat.
They may appear confused, agitated, slurred speach and appear if they are drunk if they had been drinking alcohol. Alcohol and heat do not mix and a serious event can be mistaken for a drunken fool instead of a heat stroke that can cause a person to loose consciousness and even coma.
These are simple definitions to help you and your loved ones seek medical care. The key is to stay hydrated while out in the sun, use sunscreen and have shade available.
Remember to keep an eye out on your fur children as pets can also suffer from these same consequences and if the pavement, sand or walking is area is hot on your feet it is also hot on all of our four legged friends. Be safe, stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and foot protection for all of us two legged and four legged friends.
Let's discuss options for better health and a better future together. Join me, Dr. Liza Leal, your @everydayhealthhacker and Mike Herzing to discuss your first steps to a better future. We want to be your resource for your medical and dental questions and needs.
Meridian Medical Dental Healthcare powered by Meridian Health Institute is located in Sugar Land, Texas and is a medical-dental facility to treat the whole body, mind, body and soul. Together we reclaim our health and reach for new beginings.
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