First Aid & Emergencies

Call 911 NOW if you are having:

Chest Pain
Difficulty Breathing
Severe Bleeding

Sudden Weakness or Numbness
A Medical Emergency

Font Size

Understanding Heat-Related Illness -- Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Heat-Related Illnesses?

Heat cramp symptoms include:

Severe, sometimes disabling, cramps that typically begin suddenly in the hands, calves, or feet.
Hard, tense muscles.

Heat exhaustion symptoms include:

Recommended Related to First Aid

Understanding Frostbite -- the Basics

Frostbite refers to the freezing of body tissue (usually skin) that results when the blood vessels contract which causes reduced blood flow and loss of oxygen to the affected body parts. Normal sensation is lost and color changes also occur in these tissues. Frostbite is most likely to affect body parts that are farther away from the body core and, therefore, have less blood flow. These include your feet, toes, hands, fingers, nose, and ears. There are three degrees of cold injury: frostnip,...

Read the Understanding Frostbite -- the Basics article > >

Fatigue
Nausea
Headaches
Excessive thirst
Muscle aches and cramps
Weakness
Confusion or anxiety
Drenching sweats, often accompanied by cold, clammy skin.
Slowed or weakened heartbeat.
Dizziness
Fainting
Agitation

Heat exhaustion requires immediate attention but is not usually life-threatening.

Heat stroke symptoms include:

Nausea and vomiting.
Headache.
Dizziness or vertigo.
Fatigue.
Hot, flushed, dry skin.
Rapid heart rate.
Decreased sweating.
Shortness of breath.
Decreased urination.
Blood in urine or stool.
Increased body temperature (104 to 106 degrees).
Confusion, delirium, or loss of consciousness.
Convulsions.

Heat stroke can occur suddenly, without any symptoms of heat exhaustion. If a person is experiencing symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, OBTAIN MEDICAL CARE IMMEDIATELY. Any delay could be fatal. You should seek emergency medical care for anyone who has been in the heat and who has the following symptoms:

Confusion, anxiety or loss of consciousness.
Very rapid or dramatically slowed heartbeat.
Rapid rise in body temperature that reaches 104 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
Either drenching sweats accompanied by cold, clammy skin (which may indicate heat exhaustion); or a marked decrease in sweating accompanied by hot, flushed, dry skin (which may indicate heat stroke).
Convulsions.

Any other heat-related symptom that is not alleviated by moving to a shady or air-conditioned area and administering fluids and salts.

WebMD Medical Reference

View Article Sources Sources