Heat exhaustion
When the body gets exposed to too much heat, the body begins to sweat and perspire in order to lose the excess heat. However, when the fluids lost from these processes are not replaced immediately, the condition might develop into what is called heat exhaustion. This occurs when the body’s loss of water and moisture to control heat is not adequately replaced. This happens because the hypothalamus, the gland that regulates the body’s thirst and hunger pangs, also controls the heat regulation of the body. Once the body is exposed to high temperature; the hypothalamus steps in to control the body’s core temperature. This is regulated mainly by sweating. Excessive sweating due to heat without replacing the fluids lost would overwhelm the body systems that help control the core body temperature. Heat exhaustion is then the result.
Heat exhaustion has a number of symptoms that accompany it. Signs like heavy sweating, fatigue, thirst, rapid heartbeat and dizziness are symptomatic of heat exhaustion. In addition to that, some patients may also exhibit pale and clammy skins, nausea, muscle cramps, and headaches as symptoms. Attention should immediately given to patients that are already in coma, having seizures or whose core body temperature reaches 104°F as this is already a sign of a potentially fatal condition known as heatstroke. Pregnant women, elderly people, infants and toddlers, obesity, people with chronic disability to sweat, and people with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases are most prone to suffering the said condition. In addition to that, alcohol intake, physical exertion in humid environments and medicines that prevents the body from cooling itself like sleeping pills and antihistamines are also factors to be considered in suffering heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion occurs mainly when a patient has been exposed to high temperatures, without drinking or taking in enough fluids and salts that would regulate the body’s heat. Fluids and salts are essential as they are used to replace the sweat that the body is losing when exposed to high temperatures.
To prevent heat exhaustion, there are several reminders to be remembered: When working, playing or exercising in the heat, remember to drink plenty of water to replace the water that transformed to sweat. This helps improve heart kidney function properly and lower the body’s core temperature, as well. Staying in the cool during especially hot days is also recommended.
Avoiding dehydration is essential as dehydration stresses the heart and kidneys, reducing the kidney’s ability to maintain the balance of electrolytes that are essential for the normal function of the cells of the human body. Avoiding alcohol, coffee and sugar while drinking lots of water or sports drinks sweetened with natural juices would help. Also, careful attention should also be given to the people who are vulnerable to heat exhaustion like kids and obese people. Doctor approved exercises, which also includes exercising on cooler places, may also help people to increase their toleration of heat during hot days.
The treatment for heat exhaustion is actually quite simple. Drinking water while staying in a cool place may actually accomplish that. In the absence of eater, any sports drink with electrolytes can also be consumed. Spraying yourself with water or fanning may also be used as a treatment. Though in severe cases, medical providers recommend some saline solutions orally consumed and intravenously if the case is proven to be more severe than usual.