Are you aware of the signs of heat-related illnesses like heatstroke?
Here’s a breakdown of the signs, prevention strategies, and treatments for each major type:
🔥 1. Heat Cramps
🔍 Signs:
- Painful muscle spasms (especially in legs or abdomen)
- Heavy sweating during intense activity
✅ Prevention:
- Stay hydrated with water and electrolyte-rich drinks
- Take breaks in the shade during physical activity
💊 Treatment:
- Stop activity and rest in a cool place
- Drink fluids
- Gently stretch and massage the cramping muscles
🌡️ 2. Heat Exhaustion
🔍 Signs:
- Heavy sweating
- Weakness or tiredness
- Dizziness or fainting
- Cool, pale, clammy skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rapid, weak pulse
- Muscle cramps
- Headache
✅ Prevention:
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing
- Avoid physical exertion during the hottest part of the day (10am–4pm)
- Drink water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol in the heat
💊 Treatment:
- Move to a cooler place (AC, shade, or fan)
- Loosen clothing
- Apply cool, wet cloths or take a cool shower
- Sip water slowly
- If vomiting continues or symptoms don’t improve in 30 minutes, seek medical help
☠️ 3. Heatstroke (Medical Emergency)
🔍 Signs:
- High body temperature (104°F / 40°C or higher)
- Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
- Confusion or slurred speech
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Rapid, strong pulse
- No sweating despite the heat
🚨 Immediate Action – Call 911
- Heatstroke is life-threatening and requires emergency medical treatment
💊 While waiting for help:
- Move the person to a cooler environment (AC, shade)
- Remove excess clothing
- Use cool cloths or an ice bath to rapidly lower body temperature
- Fan air over them while applying cold, wet cloths
- Do not give fluids if the person is unconscious or confused
🛡️ General Tips to Avoid Heat-Related Illness:
- Stay indoors during extreme heat alerts
- Use fans, air conditioning, or cooling centers
- Wear wide-brimmed hats and sunscreen
- Drink water every 15–20 minutes when outside
- Check on elderly neighbors, infants, and those with chronic illness
- Never leave anyone (including pets) in a parked car
4. Heat Rash (Prickly Heat)
🔍 Signs:
- Red cluster of pimples or small blisters
- Usually appears on the neck, chest, groin, or in elbow creases
- Itchy or prickling sensation
✅ Prevention:
- Keep skin dry and cool
- Wear loose, breathable clothing
- Avoid excessive sweating
💊 Treatment:
- Keep affected area dry and cool
- Avoid lotions or ointments that trap moisture
- Use baby powder or cornstarch to soothe itching
5. Heat Syncope (Fainting)
🔍 Signs:
- Sudden dizziness or fainting after standing too long or rising quickly
- Often occurs in hot environments, especially after exercise
✅ Prevention:
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid standing still for long periods in heat
- Gradually cool down after physical activity
💊 Treatment:
- Lie down in a cool place
- Elevate legs
- Rehydrate with water or electrolyte drinks
6. Rhabdomyolysis (Heat + Muscle Breakdown)
🔍 Signs:
- Severe muscle pain and swelling
- Dark, tea-colored urine
- Weakness, nausea, or confusion
⚠️ Risk Group:
- Often affects athletes, military personnel, or outdoor workers in extreme heat
✅ Prevention:
- Hydrate well
- Avoid overexertion in heat
- Gradually acclimate to heat
🚨 Treatment:
- Medical emergency – requires hospital treatment to prevent kidney damage
7. Dehydration
🔍 Signs:
- Extreme thirst
- Dry mouth and skin
- Dizziness or confusion
- Dark yellow urine or decreased urination
✅ Prevention:
- Drink water regularly, even before you feel thirsty
- Increase fluids during activity or heat exposure
💊 Treatment:
- Rest and rehydrate
- Oral rehydration salts for more severe cases
- IV fluids may be required in hospitals for severe dehydration
8. Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium from Overhydration)
🔍 Signs:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Confusion or seizures
- Swelling of hands, feet, or brain (in severe cases)
⚠️ Note:
- Can occur if drinking too much water without replacing electrolytes
✅ Prevention:
- Balance water intake with electrolyte-rich drinks during prolonged sweating
🚨 Treatment:
- Requires medical treatment to restore sodium levels safely
🧠 Key Rule of Thumb:
If someone is confused, stops sweating, faints, or has a high fever in the heat, do not wait — it’s time to call 911.
