Contents:
- Medical Video: SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION
- Symptoms of heat exhaustion
- Handling of heat exhaustion
- Who is more at risk of having a heat exhaustion?
- Age
- Certain health conditions
- Drugs
Medical Video: SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION
Heat exhaustion is a condition that can occur after you are exposed to high temperatures (heat) and often accompanied by dehydration. So, this condition is not just a normal heat, but more serious.
There are two types of heat exhaustions, namely:
- Water depletion or lack of water. Symptoms that appear include thirst to dry throat, weakness, headache, and loss of consciousness (fainting).
- Salt depletion or lack of salt. Symptoms that appear include nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, and dizziness.
Although the heat exhaustion is not as severe heat stroke (heat shock), this extreme heat condition is not something that should be ignored. If not handled properly, heat exhaustion can develop into heat stroke, which can damage the brain and other vital organs, even causing death. The good news is that heat exhaustion can be prevented.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion
Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion can occur suddenly or over time, especially with long periods of exercise. Signs and symptoms that may occur:
- Confusion
- Dark urine (a sign of dehydration)
- Dizzy
- Fainted
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle or stomach cramps
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Pale skin color
- Excessive sweating
- Fast heartbeat
Handling of heat exhaustion
If you or the people around you experience symptoms of heat exhaustion, it is important to get out of the hot environment immediately and get some rest (preferably in an air-conditioned room or cool and shady place).
Other steps for handling the symptoms of heat exhaustion are:
- Drink lots of fluids (avoid caffeine and alcohol)
- Remove tight clothing and replace with thin clothes that can absorb sweat well (for example from cotton)
- Perform cooling actions such as a fan or cold towel, you can do it cold shower
If the action fails within 15 minutes or the body temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius, seek emergency medical help, because the untreated heat exhaustion can continue to heat stroke.
After you recover from the heat exhaustion, you will likely be more sensitive to high temperatures during the following week, so you should avoid hot weather and strenuous exercise until the doctor tells you that it is safe to resume normal activities.
Who is more at risk of having a heat exhaustion?
People who are under sun exposure or in a room where the air is more at risk of experiencing a heat exhaustion. So, if you live in an urban area, you are also vulnerable to heat exhaustion.
Other risk factors related to heat exhaustion conditions include:
Age
Infants and children up to 4 years old, and elderly people (over 65 years) are very vulnerable because the body's adjustment to heat is slower.
Certain health conditions
Including heart, lung, kidney disease obesity, lack of weight, high blood pressure, diabetes, mental disorders, alcoholism (alcoholism), and all conditions that cause fever.
Drugs
These include a number of laxatives, sedatives (sedatives), stimulants (such as caffeine), heart medications and blood pressure, and medications for psychiatric problems.
If you are taking certain medications and often experience symptoms of heat exhaustion, immediately notify your doctor to adjust the dosage or change the type.
