How to Respond to Different Heat-Related Illnesses
Written by The Health Aisle Team
Medically reviewed by Dr. Aliya Kassamali, PharmD
Rising temperatures and increasing heatwaves can cause stress on our bodies, resulting in heat-related illnesses.
It is important to know the differences between heat-related illnesses to identify if they are serious and how you should respond. Heat stroke requires immediate medical attention —so it’s important to know what it looks like.
What it looks like |
What to do |
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What it looks like |
What to do |
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What it looks like |
What to do |
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What it looks like |
What to do |
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If heat exhaustion is not treated right away, it can lead to heat stroke, so it’s important to react quickly. Anyone is at risk of heat-related illnesses, but some people may be more sensitive. Pay extra attention to:
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adults over 65 and young children, because they are less able to regulate body temperature;
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people taking medications that make it difficult to stay hydrated, for example, for heart conditions or high blood pressure. Check with your doctor or healthcare professional if you are unsure; and
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people who are overweight. Being overweight can cause your body to retain more heat and make it harder to cool down.
Be careful going out on days with higher-than-normal temperatures and high humidity. Also, rapid temperature changes from cold to hot weather can make it harder for your body to adjust. Protect yourself by being prepared!
References:
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National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2018, June 6). Heat Stress-Related Illness | NIOSH | CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatrelillness.html
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National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). (2017, September 1). Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness | Natural Disasters and Severe Weather | CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html
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O’Connor F.G et al. (2021). Exertional heat illness in adolescents and adults: Management and prevention. UpToDate.
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Miller, J. L. (2021). Miliaria. UpToDate.