Staff Report
Summer in Texas comes with sweltering temperatures, high humidity and lots of sunshine — and with that comes heat strokes and heat exhaustion, which thankfully, are preventable.
According to Austin Emergency Center, it is first important to note the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke, recognize symptoms of each and know what treatment is necessary.
Heat exhaustion is extremely common in Central Texas and doesn’t always call for a trip to the emergency room. It typically occurs when your body has lost a significant amount of water and salt, usually from sweating.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
• Increased sweating and weakness
• Lightheadedness, dizziness or feeling like you’re going to faint
• Weak heart rate
• Pale, cold and clammy skin
Heat exhaustion can usually be resolved with at-home remedies. Move to a shaded area or away from the heat entirely. Add a cool compress to your body, or take a cold shower.
Heat stroke, however, is always a medical emergency, and it is important that you seek an ER immediately if you suspect you or someone you know is experiencing it. Heat stroke occurs when your body can no longer control its internal temperature, causing problems from rapid heart rate to organ damage.
Symptoms of heat stroke include:
• Temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit
• Rapid heart rate
• Change in consciousness
• Changes in skin, such as hot, red or dry skin
Common risk factors for heat stroke include age (the young and elderly are more likely to suffer from its effects), heat index (high indexes make it harder for you to cool down) and certain pre-existing conditions (conditions like heart and lung diseases can make you more susceptible).
While escaping the heat entirely may be impossible during the hottest months of the summer, being prepared and preventing heat stroke is possible with some relatively easy solutions:
• Hydrate. Hydration is crucial to preventing heat stroke and heat exhaustion. If you’re performing any activities outside or in the heat, be sure to have at least two full glasses of water every hour.
• Avoid outdoor activities during the hottest time of the day. In Texas, that is between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Avoid any strenuous outdoor activities during this time.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing. This will help you stay cool when exposed to extreme heat.
• Never leave anyone or yourself in a parked car, even if it’s for a short period of time.
• Be aware of medications that can impact your hydration, as certain ones can lead to dehydration.
• Take necessary precautions and avoid the heat when possible if you’re at an elevated risk for heat stroke.
The symptoms of heat stroke can come on suddenly and be alarming. Unlike heat exhaustion, heat stroke treatment can only be performed by a medical professional, as you’ll likely need an IV of cool fluids and other medical interventions to help your body begin regulating its internal temperature again. Diagnostic tests will also be able to be run to indicate if any damage has been done to your muscles, kidneys or other major organs.
If you or someone you know is experiencing the signs of heat stroke, seek 24-hour emergency care at your closest ER.
