Signs of heat exhaustion and how to avoid it

Record-breaking temperatures continue to bring people out to the pool. However, being exposed to 90-degree heat for an extended period of time can put you at risk. Heat exhaustion can be extremely dangerous and can lead to heat stroke which can be deadly if not treated immediately. Knowing the signs of heat exhaustion and how to avoid it can save your life.

Dr. Willey, from Physicians Immediate Care Center, says “heat exhaustion and heat stroke and have very similar symptoms initially. Nausea, fatigue, confusion, not feeling right, cramping, some people cramp.”

However, both heat exhaustion and heat stroke are not the same.

“If you are sweating and still sweating, you have heat exhaustion, if you stop sweating or notice someone who has stopped sweating, they are in heat stroke. And, they need immediate medical attention. That is a medical emergency.”

Sweat is a cooling mechanism in the body. So if sweating halts, body temperature can rise at an alarming rate.

For pool goers, getting cooled off is as easy as jumping in, however, for lifeguards who sit on their tower for hours, heat exhaustion can occur quickly and may be unnoticed. Dr. Willey believes heat stroke is, “a lot more common than you think. And, you don’t know if you’re hydrated unless you take an interval drink of water every 15 minutes.”