Wellness Blog

Summer in India brings very hot temperatures that can be tough on everyone. Children, people and those who work outside are especially at risk. Two conditions that often get mixed up are heat exhaustion and heatstroke. While both heat exhaustion and heatstroke are caused by getting too hot, they are not the same thing. Knowing the difference between heat exhaustion and heatstroke can really save a life.

What is Heat Exhaustion?

Heat exhaustion happens when your body loses a lot of water and salt through sweating. It is like your body is saying it is struggling to stay cool. Think of heat exhaustion as a warning sign.

Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

1.  Sweating
2.  Cool and pale skin
3. Fast and weak pulse
4. Feeling sick to your stomach or vomiting
5. Muscle cramps
6. Tiredness
7. Dizziness
8. Headache

You might also feel faint or confused when you have heat exhaustion. You are usually still aware of what's happening when you have heat exhaustion.

The good news is that heat exhaustion can be treated if you act fast and take care of the person with heat exhaustion.

What Is Heatstroke?

Heatstroke is more serious than heat exhaustion. Heatstroke happens when your body temperature goes above 40 degrees Celsius and your cooling system stops working. This is an emergency. If you do not get help for heatstroke right away, heatstroke can hurt your brain, heart, kidneys and muscles and it can be fatal.

Signs of heatstroke include:

1. High body temperature
2. Hot and red skin that might be dry or wet
3. Fast and strong pulse
4. Confusion
5. Slurred speech
6. Unconsciousness
7. Seizures

 A key thing to remember is that a person with heatstroke might stop sweating, even though they are extremely hot with heatstroke.

What to Do in Each Case

For heat exhaustion:

1. Move the person with heat exhaustion to a place right away, preferably inside a building or in the shade.
2. Lie down and lift their legs.
3. Give them water or a drink with electrolytes if they are conscious and have heat exhaustion.
4. Put wet cloths on their skin to help with heat exhaustion.
5. Most people get better within 15 to 30 minutes with these steps for heat exhaustion.

For heatstroke:

1. Call for emergency help immediately for heatstroke.
2. Do not wait to see if they get better on their own with heatstroke.
3. While waiting for help for heatstroke, move them to a place, remove extra clothing and put ice packs on their armpits, neck and groin to help with heatstroke.
4. Do not give fluids to someone unconscious or confused with heatstroke.

Who has high risk?

1. Young children are at risk of getting heat exhaustion and heatstroke because their bodies heat up faster than adults.
2. Old people, those with illnesses, outdoor workers and athletes are also vulnerable to heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
3. Pets can get heatstroke too, so do not leave them in cars.

Prevention Tips

1. Drink water throughout the day, even if you are not thirsty, to prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
2. Avoid going out during the hottest part of the day, between 11 a.m. And 4 p.m. to prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
3. Wear light-coloured clothing to prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
4. Never leave children or old people in a car to prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
5. Recognising the difference between heat exhaustion and heatstroke helps you respond correctly in an emergency situation, whether it's heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

At GKNM Hospital, our Emergency Medicine teams are ready to handle all heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heatstroke, precisely. If you or someone you know is showing signs of heatstroke, do not hesitate to reach out to us. Quick action saves lives when it comes to heatstroke and heat exhaustion.