Heat Exhaustion And Heat Stroke: Spot the Signs!
Ever felt so drained by the heat that even basic tasks feel like a punishment?
With summer setting in, heatwaves are creeping in fast — and bringing with them a surge in heat-related illnesses like Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke.
While the two may sound similar, their severity and impact are vastly different — and knowing the difference can help protect you and your loved ones this season.
Let’s take a deep dive in this blog to learn their key signs, differences, and simple prevention tips.
Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke: What’s the Difference?
When temperatures rise, your body sweats to stay cool. However, excessive sweating leads to the loss of water and essential salts like sodium — causing dehydration. This puts your body under heat stress and impacts how your body functions, resulting in a condition known as Heat Exhaustion, the symptoms of which are:-
- Excessive sweating
- Dizziness
- Fatigue or weakness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
- Fast heart rate
- Weak pulse
If not addressed in time, Heat Exhaustion can escalate into Heat Stroke — a medical emergency that can turn deadly within minutes.
Unlike heat exhaustion, where the body still tries to cool itself, heat stroke occurs when the body’s temperature regulation system fails. The temperature shoots up past 104°F (40°C), and the body begins to shut down its critical functions — including the brain, heart, and kidneys.
Watch out for these symptoms of Heat Stroke:
- Extremely high body temperature (above 104°F)
- Confusion, disorientation, or irrational behaviour
- Agitation or sudden mood swings
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness or fainting
- Hot, dry skin with little or no sweating — a sign the body has stopped trying to cool down
A heat stroke needs urgent medical attention as a delay in treatment can result in permanent damage or even death. So, if anyone near you shows these signs, call emergency services and in the meanwhile start cooling them with cold compresses, fans, or ice packs on the neck, armpits, and groin.
3 Signs to Differentiate Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke are different in terms of symptoms and severity, but the cause remains the same: rising heat outside. Here’s how to quickly assess whether it’s heat exhaustion or heat stroke:
- Consciousness: If you feel unconscious, and confused, you might be facing a heat stroke. While during heat exhaustion, there are no such signs.
- Body temperature: If your body temperature is less than 104 degrees fahrenheit, you are experiencing heat exhaustion. But if it rises above that, there is a stronger chance that you are experiencing a heat stroke.
- Sweating: Excessive sweating and cool skin are major heat exhaustion symptoms whereas in case of a heat stroke, the skin becomes dry and hot. One does not sweat when experiencing heat stroke.
Which is life-threatening: Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke?
While both heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious heat-related illnesses, heat stroke is definitely more dangerous. In heat stroke, the body temperature changes and one also experiences physical as well as neurological changes. If not attended to timely, it can also turn fatal.
Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke are Dangerous: Prevent them at all costs!
Opting for the right preventive measures can help you escape the threats of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and make the best of the summers. Here are some tips that can help you beat the heat and related threats:
- Avoid Stepping Out around Noon: Sunlight is harshest during the noon time and must be avoided. If at all, one must go out, they must cover their head with caps and scarves, seek shade wherever possible, and stay hydrated.
- Healthy Sleep Cycle: A human should get at least 7 hours of sleep to function well. A rested body and calm mind reduces the possibility of fatigue which makes the body vulnerable to heat related illness.
- Wear Light Coloured Clothes: Light coloured clothes absorb less heat. Opt for a pastel and breezy wardrobe during summer, preferably in cotton or linen.
- Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: Heat exhaustion symptoms arise due to dehydration. It is recommended to drink at least 2 litres of water every day to keep your body hydrated. Add natural coolers like sattu-drink, coconut water, lemonade and butter milk to your daily hydration. Fruits like watermelon and musk melon also help.
Neglecting summer precautions can be dangerous — and even life-threatening. While preventive steps like hydration, rest, and protective clothing go a long way, it’s equally important to stay alert and prepared for emergencies.
If you or a loved one shows signs of heat-related distress, don’t wait. Act fast. With Yashoda, expert medical help is just a call away. Save our emergency number now — +91 85060 69451 — because every second counts when the heat hits hard!