Understanding Heat-Related Illnesses: Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment

When the body is exposed to high temperatures it begins to sweat to cool down. However, when this exposure is for a long time, sweat is not enough, so the body temperature can rise to dangerous levels and lead to illnesssuch as heat stroke, exhaustion and cramps, among others.

When the body begins to overheat more blood flows to the outer layer of the skin from within so that heat is released to the cooler environment. When this process doesn’t bring the temperature down fast enough, or the air outside is hotter, we start to sweat. The sweat glands pull water into the bloodstream, so the sweat evaporates and cools the body.

However, when blood moves to the outer layers of the body, less blood reaches the muscles, brain, and other organs. Alejandro Ortega, an internist, indicates that prolonged sweating could deplete the body of water and cause severe dehydration, as well as severe diseases that are caused by heat.

“People suffer from heat-related illnesses when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. The body normally produces sweat to cool itself down, but sometimes just sweating is not enough. High body temperatures can damage the brain and other vital organs.”indicate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States (CDC).

heat related illnesses

In addition to spending a long time indoors or in high temperatures, there are other factors that affect the body’s ability to cope with a heat wave. For example, when it’s very humid, sweat doesn’t evaporate fast enough and the body doesn’t release heat fast enough to avoid any severe problem.

Age also hinders the ability to regulate temperature, sothe elderly, the elderly, and infants (ages 0-4) are more prone to heat illness. Likewise, people with obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, poor circulation and sunburn.

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Heat-related illnesses include heat stroke, exhaustion, cramps, rash and burns.

“The high temperature that causes fever is different from that generated by heat illnesses”emphasizes the general practitioner Angélica Castillo. Fever is the body’s reaction to infections and other less serious illnesses, while heat illnesses raise the temperature because the body cannot cool down quickly.

Heatstroke

This sickness It occurs when the body does not control its own temperature and in the face of an external heat wave it can reach more than 40 °Cit even exceeds the marks of an ordinary thermometer.

To identify heat stroke, in addition to measuring body temperature, You have hot, red, dry, or moist skin. fast and pounding pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and fainting.

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People with heat stroke or sunstroke, the priority should be to cool down as soon as possible. Thus It is recommended to seek medical help and take the person to a cooler environment, help him to lower his temperature with cold cloths or giving a bath with cold water until the temperature drops below 38 °C.

heat exhaustion

This disease is not as serious as heat stroke. It usually occurs after being exposed to high temperatures for several days and having poor hydration. Heat exhaustion is identified with profuse sweating, pale skin, muscle cramps, tiredness, and weakness.dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, and fainting.

The skin will be cool and clammy, while the pulse will be rapid and weak, and breathing will be rapid.

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For symptoms of heat exhaustion it is recommended to rest, bathe with cold water, stay in cool places or with air conditioningwear light and cool clothing, and drink cold non-alcoholic drinks.

heat cramps

Muscle pain or spasms, which usually occur in the abdomen, arms, and legs, are associated with excessive physical activity. However, Those who exercise or play sports and sweat a lot are prone to suffer from them because sweat depletes the body of salt and moisture.

These types of cramps can also be a symptom of heat exhaustion.

In case you present these discomforts, it is advisable to stop the activity you are doing at the moment and sit in a cool and comfortable place. Do not resume vigorous physical activity until several hours have passed since the cramps have subsided. In case they are not gone within an hour, seek medical help.

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heat rash

Excessive sweating when there is a lot of heat and humidity usually causes skin irritation which is characterized by the appearance of a set of reddened pimples or small blisters. They appear on the neck, chest, groin, and under the breasts and elbow creases. Although it can appear at any age, it is more common in children.

If you have heat rash, try to keep the affected area dry. You can use moisturizing creams or powders to ease discomfort. Keep in a cool place.

Sunburn

Being exposed to the sun for a long time causes burns on the skin, which becomes red, sore and warm. Blisters may also appear.

The recommendations are to avoid the sun so that no further irritation occurs, apply cold cloths to the affected area, and moisturizing lotion. It is important that you do not burst the blisters.

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How to prevent heat illness

Heat-related illnesses can be prevented, in addition to staying in cool places, through daily actions that will help hydration and body protection. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) give some recommendations:

• Wear light clothing: preferably light and baggy.
• Stay in cool environments: In case they are closed places, make sure there is air conditioning. If you can’t, then constantly visit places that do. Fans, when faced with very high temperatures, do not prevent heat illnesses.
• Plan your outdoor activities: If it is necessary to go out, try to do it at times when the environment is cooler.
• Use sunscreen: this way you will avoid burns and skin irritation. Sunscreen should say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on the label to be most effective. Don’t forget to keep your skin hydrated.
• Avoid hot and heavy meals: look for fruits and vegetables, because they provide electrolytes and other types of minerals that keep us hydrated.