Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion, what’s the difference?

HOUSTON – With the summer heat at its peak in the Houston area, it is important to know the signs of heat-related illnesses.

There are two main types of heat-related illnesses, heat stroke and heat exhaustion. These two conditions are by far the most common issues people can go through with prolonged exposure to dangerous heat.

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So what is the difference? The Center for Disease Control lays out what separates the two.

Heat stroke

Heat stroke is the more dangerous of the two and is considered by the CDC as the most dangerous kind of heat-related illness. The condition occurs when the body can no longer control its own temperature. When this happens, the body temperature rapidly rises and the sweating mechanism fails, meaning the body is unable to cool down.

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“When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment,” the CDC says.

Symptoms of heat stroke include:

• Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech
• Loss of consciousness (coma)
• Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
• Seizures
• Very high body temperature
• Fatal if treatment delayed

Treatment for heat stroke:

• Call 911 for emergency medical care.
• Stay with the worker until emergency medical services arrive.
• Move the worker to a shaded, cool area and remove outer clothing.
• Cool the worker quickly, using the following methods:
• With a cold water or ice bath, if possible. Wet the skin. Place cold wet cloths on the skin Soak clothing with cool water.
• Circulate the air around the worker to speed cooling.
• Place cold wet cloths or ice on the head, neck, armpits, and groin; or soak the clothing with cool water.

Heat exhaustion

The CDC defines heat exhaustion as the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating. It is most likely to affect the elderly, people with high blood pressure and those working in a hot environment.

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Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Irritability
• Thirst
• Heavy sweating
• Elevated body temperature
• Decreased urine output

Treatment for heat exhaustion:

• Take a person to a clinic or emergency room for medical evaluation and treatment.
• Call 911 if medical care is unavailable.
• Have someone stay with the person until help arrives.
• Remove the person from the hot area and give liquids to drink.
• Remove unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks.
• Cool the person with cold compresses or have the person wash their head, face, and neck with cold water.
• Encourage frequent sips of cool water.