While exercising helps you to maintain your weight, age well and prevent diseases, it can also have its downside. For instance, it can bring on heat stroke, a condition that afflicts you when your body temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit or 40 degrees Celsius, according to MayoClinic.com. Considering the serious consequences of heat stroke --- including death --- it's best to prevent it.
Causes and Risk Factors
Heat stroke occurs when you do not treat two heat-related illnesses --- heat cramps and heat exhaustion, according to MayoClinic.com. These two conditions can be caused by dehydration, wearing heavy clothes that don't allow you to perspire, or drinking alcoholic beverages. If you develop heat stroke during exercise, it's referred to as exertional heatstroke. You're more at risk when performing strenuous activity in very hot, humid weather, even if you're used to exercising in these conditions. Heat stroke is also more of a risk if you're over age 65 or you're taking certain medications such as diuretics or blood pressure and antipsychotic drugs.
Effects
Besides a high body temperature, heat stroke causes other symptoms, such as reduced sweating, flushed skin, rapid breathing and heart rate or headache, according to MayoClinic.com. You can also experience muscle cramps and weakness, hallucinations or suffer a seizure. If left untreated, heatstroke leads to shock --- the result of a sudden loss of blood flow --- which can damage your internal organs, warns MayoClinic.com. You can suffer brain damage or even die if you go into shock.
Prevention During Exercise
Make sure you're well-hydrated before, during and after exercise to avoid progressive dehydration, advises the American Council on Exercise. They recommend drinking more fluids than you think you'll need and 6 to 8 oz. of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes when you're exercising. Avoid exercising outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor facilities when the heat stress index is higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Wear lightweight clothing during hot weather and reduce your intensity or distance. (Ref 3)
Treating Heat Cramps and Heat Exhaustion
If you suffer heat stroke, you will need immediate medical attention. To treat heat cramps, which cause symptoms such as thirst and muscle spasms, drink as much water or juice as you can immediately, apply ice to your skin and rest, advises the Cleveland Clinic. For heat exhaustion, which causes symptoms that include headaches, dizziness, nausea and cool, moist skin, use the remedies for heat cramp. Also, remove any excess clothing and take a cool bath. If symptoms do not improve, get to an emergency room as soon as possible.
