Health Tips from John Muir Health

Heat exhaustion is a serious illness caused by too much heat. Heat exhaustion can be brought on by overexertion or profuse sweating in a hot, humid, or poorly ventilated environment. If heat exhaustion is recognized and treated promptly, the effects can be easily reversed.

Symptoms

• Feeling weak, faint or dizzy, with an accompanying headache or nausea
• Cold, clammy skin with ashen pallor
• Dry tongue and thirst
• Severe muscle fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Profuse sweating
• Physical collapse, with muscle fatigue and sometimes cramping

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to replenish the lost fliuds and cool the body's temperature.

• Move person into a cool place out of the sun
• Loosen any tight-fitting and remove extra layers of clothing
• Drink fluids such as water, fruit or vegetable juices, or sports drinks. Do not drink fluids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Goal: A half glass of fluid every 15-20 minutes.
• Sponge the person down with cool water or by applying cool wet cloths.

In most cases, improvement will be noted within 30 minutes. If symptoms do not clear up, or if the person begins to lose consciousness, call 911 immediately.

The best medicine is prevention. Drink plenty of fluids and keep cool!