Friday, February, 10, 2012

Heat emergencies

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Heatstroke


Symptoms

The early symptoms of heat illness include:

  • Profuse sweating
  • Fatigue
  • Thirst
  • Muscle cramps

Later symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

  • Headache
  • Dizziness and lightheadedness
  • Weakness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Cool, moist skin
  • Dark urine

The symptoms of heatstroke include:

  • Fever (temperature above 104 °F)
  • Irrational behavior
  • Extreme confusion
  • Dry, hot, and red skin
  • Rapid, shallow breathing
  • Rapid, weak pulse
  • Seizures
  • Unconsciousness

Images

Review Date: 01/14/2010
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)