Summer comes with a lot of goodies and the sun is the chief blessing we get to enjoy all summer long. Although we all relish the idea of spending numerous hours in the sun and taking a break from our work life, there is a risk in spending too much time out in the sun-you can suffer from heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion is a very common occurrence especially in the summer. In the year 2016 alone, more than 300,000 people were reported to have suffered from heat exhaustion and related complications in Texas alone. The funny thing about all that is the fact that 40% didn’t even know that they had suffered from the condition.
One of the reasons why heat exhaustion is relatively unknown to many, is the lack of sufficient information on the same. Here at Frontline Emergency Room, we receive numerous cases of heat exhaustion and heatstroke during summer and we thought it wise to address the same in this blog by providing tips on when to visit an emergency room for heat exhaustion.
Before providing tips on when to visit an emergency room for heat exhaustion, let’s take a look at what heat exhaustion is, what causes it and symptoms to look out for. So, what is heat exhaustion?
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is caused by too much heat in the body and the inability of the body to sufficiently offer a cooling mechanism when the temperatures soar too high. When one is suffering from heat exhaustion, their body is not able to produce enough sweat to cool off the body and this takes a toll on the individual.
If heat exhaustion is not addressed on time, then it escalates quickly and becomes heatstroke. Heatstroke is far more serious than heat exhaustion and if not addressed, it can lead to organ damage and in severe cases, death. It is therefore important to report the earliest signs of heat exhaustion to the nearest emergency room and get the necessary medication to reduce the chances of the situation escalating to a heatstroke.
Tips on when to go to the emergency room for heat exhaustion
Go to the ER if your skin is turning red and itchy under the sun
Have you been spending too much time on the sun and are starting to get sunburns and a red skin? Well, these are the first signs of heat taking a toll on you and lack of enough sweating to effectively cool your body. Report this to the nearest emergency room and get the medication required to repress the symptoms and prevent further symptoms.
Report if you are feeling too weak and fatigued
Heat exhaustion is characterized by general body weakness and fatigue. Because the body is unable to cool down properly, muscle activity is reduced and this yields into fatigue. If you have been spending considerable time exposed to too much heat and are starting to feel extremely tired, then it is time to consider getting medical attention.
Profuse non-stop sweating
The other warning sign that you should be on the lookout for, is profuse sweating. As we all know, sweating is the natural mechanism of the body to cool down when the temperatures get too high. The body attempts to counter the heat levels by producing as much sweat as possible but cannot quite offset it.
If you are therefore experiencing high body temperatures and profuse sweating which is not doing much in terms of cooling the body, then you should be giving your emergency room a call as soon as possible.
Headaches, Nausea and Vomiting
If after spending a lot of time in the heat or with heavy clothing and you begin experiencing high body temperatures coupled with headaches, nausea and vomiting, then you should report the same to the nearest emergency room. Headaches are a sign of dehydration in the body and an indication that a lot is going on within your body.
When the headaches are accompanied nausea and vomiting, then it all gets to a dangerous level which needs immediate addressing. If it ever gets to this point, drink as much water as possible, move away from the source of heat and head over to the nearest emergency room for medication. These are signs that the heat exhaustion is slowly developing into heat stroke and you should report the same to the nearest emergency room.
Drink as much water as possible
As a safety precaution, ensure that you hydrate as much as you can when you are out there having fun in the sun. You should also not wear heavy clothing when carrying out strenuous activities as this will increase the chances of heat exhaustion.
Report heat exhaustion to Frontline Emergency Room
Don’t wait until it is too late, give Frontline Emergency Room a call as soon as you start experiencing any of the symptoms above and we will come to your aid.
