Heat-related illness caused by the loss of water and electrolytes through sweating
Heat exhaustion is one condition on the spectrum of raised body temperature derived from a
heat illness. Other heat illnesses include
heat cramps and
heat stroke. Heat exhaustion is caused by the raising of a person's body temperature from either environmental conditions or by
exertion. A raised internal body temperature can induce high amounts of
perspiration out of the body. Which can lead to the loss of water, salt, and
electrolytes.[1][2]
Prevention of any heat-related illness includes drinking adequate fluids, avoiding exercise in hot weather, avoiding medications that can lead to heat exhaustion, and removing or loosening clothing.[1][2][3]
Signs and symptoms
Common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
These symptoms may also fall under other heat-related illnesses like
heat stroke,
heat cramps, and
heat syncope.
Heat stroke is a severe condition as heat-related illness and falls closely to similar symptoms to heat exhaustion. Symptoms of
heat stroke that differ from heat exhaustion include hot but dry skin,
flushed coloration of the skin, and central nervous system dysfunction.
Heat stroke is much more severe in nature in comparison to heat exhaustion in that it can lead to
multi-organ failure and death.[5]
Physical exertion, especially in hot, humid weather
Due to impaired
thermoregulation, elderly people and infants can get serious heat illness even at rest, if the weather outside is hot and
humid, and they are not getting enough cool air.
A diagnosis of heat exhaustion most commonly is diagnosed by
medical professionals with various physical examinations. Through examination a patient would have their temperature checked and question about your recent activity.[1] If the medical professionals suspect a patients heat exhaustion has progressed into heat stroke they may then lead with these varying tests to verify;
Blood test, medical professionals when conducting a blood test look for low blood sugar or potassium. They may also look for the presence of unwanted gases in a patients blood.[1][2]
Urinalysis, an urinalysis or urine test is a test to measure color, clarity, pH levels, glucose concentration, and protein levels.[8] The test additionally can check a patients kidney function, which is common to be affected by classic
heat stroke.[2]
Muscle function tests, medical professionals use muscle function tests to check for
rhabdomyolysis. Which is severe damage to a persons skeletal muscle tissue.[9]