Heatstroke and Heat Exhaustion: Signs, Treatments, and Prevention
Who else hated the 30+ days we had in July? Put your hand up! (Mine would be up if I didn’t need them for typing). But the heat can be dangerous – like, never take a newborn outside, leaving children or animals in your car can be deadly dangerous. So we hunted down some info on heat stroke and exhaustion to help you stay safe.
First, avoid both heatstroke and heat exhaustion by staying hydrated.
Dehydration can lead you to developing a headache, dizziness, and loss of balance. All of which can lead to trips and falls and more serious injuries. Sip water throughout the day to stay hydrated – more on hotter days or during physical activities.
While people of any age can get dehydrated, children and seniors are more likely as they tend to be less cognizant of how much water they drink in a day. And no: wine, beer, soda, juice, and coffee don’t really count as the sugars, liquor, and any excess caffeine can lead you to be more dehydrated over time. Try and balance any “fun” drinks with water.
Also called “sunstroke,” heatstroke is caused by the body overheating, internal temperature reaching 104°F/40°C and above (reminder: the average human body temp is 98.6°F/37°C). Long term damage can be caused if this goes untreated including damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles. This damage can and will get worse the longer it goes untreated, increasing complications and could lead to death.
Signs and Symptoms: Besides elevated body temperature, include:
- Cognitive failure/confusion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Flushed skin
- Rapid breathing
- Elevated/racing heartbeat
- Headache
Prevention: Wear a hat to shield your head and neck from the sun, don’t wear unnecessary layers (leave the winter coat in the closet) stay hydrated, and when you can: stay indoors with A/C (public libraries are great).
Treatment: A person experiencing heat stroke should receive medical aid as quickly as possible, take immediate action to cool the person off while waiting for emergency treatment, such as:
- Taking the person indoors or into the shade (if it’s warmer inside than out, go for shade)
- Remove excess clothing
(Recommended by the Mayo Clinic)
If you’re unable to cool the person with a shower or tub or water, rest a cold cloth or ice pack against pulse points such as the inside of the wrists, back of the neck, armpits, and groin; sponge with cool water, or fan while misting them with cool water. Have them sip cool water slowly as well (don’t let them drink too fast or they can throw up).
There are a few differences in symptoms between heat exhaustion and heatstroke as displayed by the following diagram:
At Risk: Kids and Pets
Always take precautions during high temperatures; for pets keep them in a cool area and remember: if it’s uncomfortable for you to walk on concrete or hard surfaces with your bare feet, it hurts your pet too. Cats and dogs sweat through their paws so if you’re hanging outside having a pool of cool water for them to dip their toes in can be great. And I haven’t met a dog yet that doesn’t enjoy running through a sprinkler. You can put ice cubes in their water dish and clip longer/thicker coats to help them out.
For babies, newborns shouldn’t be exposed to high heat and sun. In fact, it’s recommended to keep them away from extended periods in a heat of 32°C/90°F – the recommended temperature that newborns should stay in for longer periods maxes out at 20°C. Particularly, as sunscreen shouldn’t be introduced to a newborn’s skin until they’re 6 months old minimum. (Always consult your doctor when it comes to your baby’s health – don’t just listen to some idiot on the internet with Google.)
Summer days should be fun and safe, always go out with the proper precautions so they stay that way!
Information and recommendations from:
Canadian Outdoor Survival Guide by Duane S. Radford
Health Link BC
Toronto Humane Society
Skin Cancer Foundation
Healthline