When searing heat, high humidity and physical activity have you feeling the symptoms of heat exhaustion, MayoClinic.com suggests ceasing the activity, sitting in the shade and drinking water or a sports drink. Familiarize yourself with heat exhaustion symptoms so you can treat them and prevent the condition from developing into heat stroke. MayoClinic.com notes that heat exhaustion can become a life-threatening medical issue.
Heavy Perspiration
Perspiration and clammy skin can be a sign of heat exhaustion. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that heat exhaustion occurs because the system that keeps your body temperature under control has trouble keeping your body cool when you sweat and don't replenish the lost fluids. If you suspect heat exhaustion, monitor your perspiration closely. Oklahoma State University's Environmental Health and Safety website points out that a sudden lack of sweating, dry skin and a temperature exceeding 103 degrees F may indicate that the condition has progressed to heatstroke.
Headache and Cramps
Sweating can lead to heat cramps, another sign of heat exhaustion. The Oklahoma State University's Environmental Health and Safety website notes that muscles spasms in the arms, stomach and legs can occur even when you drink water because the beverage doesn't replace the potassium and salt you've lost through perspiration. W. Larry Kenney, a professor of physiology and kinesiology in Pennsylvania State University's College of Health and Human Development, recommends drinking a sports drink that features electrolytes, such as potassium and sodium, to help hydrate your body and help regulate your body's muscle and nerve functions.
Fatigue and Weakness
If you're suffering from heat exhaustion, you may also feel weak and dizzy, according to FamilyDoctor.org. If the light-headedness leads to confusion or a loss of consciousness, the website stresses that it's important to consult a doctor because this can be a sign of heatstroke.
Nausea
Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include nausea, particularly if you feel sick in conjunction with other symptoms, such as weakness, perspiration and headaches, notes the Arizona Department of Health Services' Office of Environmental Health. It points out that you may be experiencing heatstroke if the nausea lapses into heavy vomiting with a throbbing headache, confusion and a temperature that can run as high as 105 degrees F.
Thirst
Once you begin to feel thirsty, the Arizona Department of Health Services' Office of Environmental Health points out that you may already be dehydrated and on your way to suffering from heat exhaustion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, recommends drinking two to four glasses of water or a sports drink containing salt and minerals to prevent the dehydration from worsening. In the event you experience symptoms of heatstroke, however, the CDC stresses that you should abstain from drinking any beverages and seek medical assistance immediately because the untreated condition can disable you or lead to death in extreme cases.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Heat Exhaustion
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Heat Exhaustion
- Oklahoma State University Environmental Health and Safety: Safety Training -- Heat Stress
- Arizona Department of Health Services: Protecting Yourself from Arizona's Heat
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Extreme Heat
- FamilyDoctor.org: Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke
