There are a lot of things you can do to prevent heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses. Heatstroke needs immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage to your brain and other vital organs that can result in death. It happens when your core body temperature reaches 104 F (40 C) or higher. Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition. If heat exhaustion isn't treated, it can lead to heatstroke. When the heat index is 91 F (33 C) or higher, you should take precautions to keep cool. This makes you more prone to heat exhaustion and heatstroke. When the humidity is high, your sweat can't evaporate as easily, and your body has more trouble cooling itself. The heat index is a single temperature value that considers how both the outdoor temperature and humidity make you feel. The body hasn't had a chance to get used to the higher temperatures. Traveling to a warm climate from a cold one or living in an area that experiences an early heat wave can put you at risk of a heat-related illness. The body needs time to get used to higher temperatures. If you're not used to the heat, you're more susceptible to heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion. Carrying excess weight can affect your body's ability to regulate its temperature and cause your body to keep more heat. Some illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines, can increase your core temperature. These include some medicines used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems (beta blockers, diuretics), reduce allergy symptoms (antihistamines), calm you (tranquilizers), or reduce psychiatric symptoms such as delusions (antipsychotics). Some medicines can affect your body's ability to stay hydrated and respond properly to heat. In older adults, illness, medicines or other factors can affect the body's ability to control temperature. The body's ability to regulate its temperature isn't fully developed in children. Infants and children younger than 4 and adults older than 65 are at higher risk of heat exhaustion. Overdressing, particularly in clothes that don't allow sweat to evaporate easily.Īnyone can get heat illness, but certain factors increase your sensitivity to heat.Alcohol use, which can affect your body's ability to regulate your temperature.Dehydration, which lessens your body's ability to sweat and keep a normal temperature.Other causesīesides hot weather and strenuous activity, other causes of heat exhaustion include: Other treatments for heat cramps include getting into cooler temperatures, such as an air-conditioned or shaded place, and resting. Prompt treatment may prevent heat cramps from progressing to more-serious heat illnesses such as heat exhaustion.ĭrinking fluids or sports drinks that have electrolytes (Gatorade, Powerade, others) can help treat heat cramps. Symptoms of heat cramps often include heavy sweating, fatigue, thirst and muscle cramps. Heat cramps are the mildest form of heat-related illness. But when you exercise strenuously or otherwise overexert in hot, humid weather, your body is less able to cool itself efficiently.Īs a result, heat cramps may start in your body. The evaporation of your sweat regulates your body temperature. In hot weather, your body cools itself mainly by sweating. The average core temperature is about 98.6 F (37 C). Your body needs to regulate heat gain in hot weather or heat loss in cold weather to keep a core temperature that's typical for you.
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