Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke:
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are heat-related illnesses. Other
heat-related illnesses include heat cramps, heat syncope (fainting), and
heat rash. Heat stroke is the most severe form of these conditions, and requires
immediate medical treatment by calling 911.
Heat exhaustion usually occurs when you play or work in a hot, humid environment and you lose fluids through sweat. This causes the body to overheat and become dehydrated. In heat exhaustion, the body temperature may be high, but not above 104 F (40 C), and medical treatment may be necessary. In contrast, heat stroke (also called heatstroke, sunstroke, or sun stroke) is a life-threatening medical emergency. It usually develops from heat exhaustion, and the internal body temperature rises to the point at which brain damage or damage to other internal organs may result (internal body temperature may reach 105 F or greater [40.5 C or greater).
Common symptoms and warning signs of these two heat-related illnesses are nausea, skin flushing, headache, dizziness, weakness, thirst, muscle cramps, and rapid heart rate. Heat exhaustion can be treated with treating dehydration at home or through IV at the doctor's office, Urgent Care, or Emergency Department. Heat stroke is a condition that needs to be treated right away. If you think someone you know is suffering from heat stroke call 911 immediately and get medical help. If medical treatment isn't started urgently, the person may die.
Must Read Articles:
-
Dehydration in Children
Dehydration in children can result from not drinking enough liquids, vomiting, diarrhea, or combination of these conditions. Causes of dehydration in children include viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections, diabetes, and increased sweating, and others. Symptoms include sunken eyes, decrease in urination, no tears when crying, dry mouth, lethargy, and irritability. Treatment at home includes proper fluid replacement. Some cases of dehydration are so severe they may require hospitalization. -
Dizziness
Dizziness may be a minor problem, or could be something life-threatening. Causes of dizziness include high blood pressure, low blood pressure, heart problems, conditions of the brain, medications, metabolic conditions, aging, other illnesses or conditions, or psychiatric conditions. Treatment depends upon the cause of the dizziness. -
12 Home Remedies for Sunburn
Everyone occasionally forgets to apply, or reapply sunscreen now and then. If you do forget, these 11 home remedies will help soothe the pain of sunburn. Make sure you are drinking enough fluid to avoid dehydration. You can apply soothing lotions that contain Aloe Vera and OTC hydrocortisone creams to burned, dry skin. We'll also share tips to help you care for blisters that occur as the result of a bad sunburn. -
Alcohol Intoxication
Alcohol intoxication is defined as when the quantity of alcohol the person consumes produces behavioral or physical abnormalities. Alcohol is the generic term for ethanol. A person who is intoxicated with alcohol they may have euphoria, poor coordination and movement, poor judgment, memory loss, slurred speech, confusion, and even coma and death if the person consumed enough alcohol. Gender, coexisiting medical conditions, and medications may have an effect on the level of alcohol intoxication a person experiences. -
Coma
Coma is a state of unconsciousness in which the patient does not consiously respond to the environment and stimuli. Causes of coma include head trauma, bleeding in the brain, skull fractures, brain swelling, lack of oxygen to the brain, poisons, and endocrine disorders. The Glasgow Coma Scale is a tool physicians use to rate the depth of coma of a patient. The outlook of coma for a patient depends on the cause of the coma and the damage to the brain and other organs of the patient's body. -
Dehydration in Adults
Dehydration occurs when the loss of body fluids (mostly water), exceeds the amount that is taken in. Causes of dehydration include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, diseases (diabetes), impaired ability to drink, lack of access to safe drinking water, and injuries to the skin. Common symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, dry skin, headache, low urine output, tiredness, sleepiness, dry mouth, and increased thirst. Treatment of dehydration depends upon the severity of the condition. -
Exercise
Exercise has been shown to reduce one's risk of heart disease, diabetes, colon and breast cancer, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce depression and anxiety. The Surgeon General recommends accumulating 30 minutes of exercise on a daily basis. -
Fainting
Fainting or syncope, is a temporary loss of consciousness. Causes of fainting include vasovagal, situational, postural, cardiac, neurologic, and psychogenic. Treatment of fainting depends on the cause. -
Mild Headache
What causes headaches? Even when mild, headaches can be a cause for concern. Learn about potential causes, types, home remedies, and treatment. -
Heat Cramps
Heat cramps are brief, painful muscle cramps that occur can occur when a person is working or exercising in a hot environment. Heat cramp signs and symptoms include involuntary muscle spasms of the large muscles of the body with profuse sweating, the cramping muscles are those that usually have been stressed. The cause of heat cramps is not well known, however, those at risk are infants and children, the elderly, those without proper air conditioning in hot environments, alcohol use, and certain medications. Heat cramps generally do not require medical attention, however, if heat exhaustion or heat stroke is suspected, seek medical care immediately. -
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a condition in which a person's body overheats due to fatigue, exercising or working in a hot environment, or dehydration. They elderly and young children under the age of 5 are at a greater risk for developing heat exhaustion. Symptoms of heat exhaustion in an adults and children include clammy skin, thirst, weak and rapid pulse, vomiting or nausea, headache, sweating heavily, muscle cramps, and weakness. Treatment is to place the affected person in a cool place, try to hydrate the individual, and cool their body with a cool mist of water, or cool (not cold) bath. Heat exhaustion can be prevented if precautions are taken. All cases of heat exhaustion should be evaluated by a medical professional. -
Heat Rash
Heat rash (prickly heat, miliaria) is thought to be due to plugged hair follicles and sweat ducts on the skin. Overexposure to a hot environment, for example, working or exercising in a hot environment, are causes heat rash. There are three types of heat rash, clear, red, and deep.Signs and symptoms of heat rash include itching (prickly heat), red bumps, blisters, or large welts on the face, neck back, stomach, buttocks, groin, or the fold under the breasts. Home remedies for heat rash include first aid, cool baths or showers, and avoiding skin-to-skin contact. OTC and prescription medications may be necessary for treatment. People at risk for heat rash include infants, children younger than four years of age, and people with congenital decreased sweating, are overweight or obese, are bedridden and unable to walk, and the elderly. -
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Heat stroke is caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures while working, exercising, doing strenuous or non-strenuous activity, and certain medications. Symptoms of heat stroke include muscle cramps, profuse sweating, rapid pulse and breathing, dizziness, and headache. If heat stroke is not treated emergently, the prognosis is poor. -
Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps occur when a muscle undergoes a sustained, forceful, and involuntary contraction. The cramp may cause a visible or palpable hardening of the muscle. Dehydration, fatigue, and certain medications may cause muscle cramps. The primary treatments for muscle cramps include relaxing, stretching, massaging, and applying heat to the cramp. -
Pregnancy Planning
Pregnancy planning is important to help prevent exposure of the mother and fetus to potentially harmful medications and substances during the early days, and throughout the pregnancy. Nutritional planning, prevention of birth defects, conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease need careful monitoring. Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and pregnancy-induced hypertension are conditions that may arise during pregnancy. Immunizations, inherited disorders, exercise, air travel, intercourse, and birth control are important factors to consider when planning a pregnancy. -
Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy occurs when an egg is fertilized by a sperm, grows inside a woman's uterus (womb), and develops into a baby. In humans, this process takes about 280 days. -
Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis is a condition in which there is damage to the skeletal muscle or muscles of the body. Common causes of rhabdomyolysis include trauma, burns, prolonged immobilization, excessive exercise, medications, drug abuse, other diseases, snake bites, and spider bites. The three main symptoms of rhabdomyolysis are muscle aches, muscle weakness, and darkened urine. Treatment for rhabdomyolysis needs to be prompt as rhabdomyolysis can be a life-threatening condition. -
Wilderness: Seizure
Epilepsy (seizure disorders) is a neurological condition that causes a series of jerking movements and loss of consciousness. Seizures are caused by disordered electrical activity in the brain rooted in a seizure disorder like epilepsy or a number of other primary causes. Seizures can be managed with medication. -
Seizures Emergencies
Seizures refer to uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. Symptoms of seizures range from mild to severe and can lead to death. A number of factors can lead to seizures, including brain tumor, injury, and fever. Emergency treatment for seizures can include antiseizure medications to help prevent seizures emergencies. -
Seizures in Children
Seizures are caused by abnormal brain activity that leads to a change in movement, focus or attention, or level of awareness. Learn about symptoms, causes, and home treatment. -
Shock
Medical shock occurs from many illnesses, conditions, or trauma. Types of shock include septic, hypovolemic, hemorrhagic, cardiogenic, neurogenic, hypoglycemic, hyperglycemic, and anaphylactic shock. The treatment and outcome of medical shock depends upon the medical situation. -
Stroke
Stroke is a medical emergency. When a person has a stroke, part of the blood supply to the brain is cut off or greatly decreased. There are two main types of stroke, ischemic and hemorrhagic. Stroke symptoms include dizziness, sudden headache, weakness in an arm or leg on the same side, weakness in the muscles of the face, difficulty speaking, vision problems, and more. Treatment of stroke depends on the type and severity of the stroke suffered. -
Sunburn
Sunburn is a burn on the skin caused by UV radiation. Mild sunburn symptoms include skin redness and pain. Severe cases of sunburn (sun poisoning) are complicated by skin burning and blistering, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and possibly infection. A sun rash is caused by a condition referred to as polymorphous light eruption (PMLE). Home remedies for sunburn include over-the-counter pain medicine, aloe vera gels and lotions, and cool tepid baths. Severe sunburn may need medical treatment. Prevention of sunburn include staying out of the sun during the peak hours of the day, wearing sunscreen often and reapply often, and wear protective clothing shielding the exposed body from the sun. -
Sunscreen and Sunblock
Sunscreens absorb or reflect UV light so that it doesn't reach the skin. Ideally, sunscreen should be applied 15 to 20 minutes before exposure to sun. Sunscreen use is not recommended for infants under 6 months of age. -
Vomiting and Nausea
Vomiting and nausea are common complaints that accompany many conditions and diseases. A few common causes of vomiting and nausea include food poisoning, viruses, vertigo, head injuries, gallbladder disease, appendicitis, migraine, brain tumors, and infections. Treatment of vomiting and nausea depend on the cause of the symptoms. -
Wilderness: Weeverfish Sting
Weeverfish (weever fish) are the most venous fish found in the North Sea, European coastal areas, the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and Eastern Atlantic Ocean. Symptoms and signs of a weeverfish sting may include fever, chills, seizures, fainting, nausea, low blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, headaches, sweating, and difficulty breathing. -
What Are Signs of Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is characterized by hyperventilation, confusion, cramps, headaches and other signs. Heat stroke (also called sun stroke) is a life-threatening medical condition that occurs when the body's cooling system stops working and the body’s core temperature increases to a point at which brain damage or damage to internal organs can occur (105° F [40.5° C] or greater).
Featured:
Shock Medical shock occurs from many illnesses, conditions, or trauma. Types of shock include septic, hypovolemic, hemorrhagic, cardiogenic, neurogenic, hypoglycemic, hyperglycemic, and anaphylactic shock. The treatment and outcome of medical shock depends upon the medical situation.
Expert Views and News
Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke Topic Guide - Visuals
Slideshows, Pictures, Images, and Quizzes:
-
Slideshow
-
Quiz
-
Slideshow
-
Quiz
-
Slideshow
-
Quiz
-
Slideshow
Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke Topic Guide – Related Topics
Related Topics:
5 Types of Headaches
There are five main types of headaches including migraines, cluster headaches, tension headaches, sinus headaches, and mixed headaches. Knowing what kind of hea...learn more »