Heat Stroke or Heat Exhaustion?
Sebring’s heat index value for this time of year can be up to 108 degrees!
When there is a combination of hot temperature combined with high humidity, dangerous health risks like heat exhaustion or heat stroke can occur. The difference? Here are the signs and symptoms:
Heat exhaustion:
- Begins with general muscle weakness,
- Headache, dizziness, confusion
- Excessive sweating,
- Extreme thirst
- Nausea, Vomiting
- Fainting soon to follow unless you remove yourself from the heat. Heat exhaustion is gradual but can sneak up on you.
What to do with Heat Exhaustion? Drink plenty of fluids, but if you notice any of the above symptoms, go inside an air conditioned room.
Heat Stroke:
- Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness
- Hot dry skin, They Stop Sweating
- Seizures, high body temperatures
- Can be Fatal
What to do for Heat Stroke: Call 911 immediately, don’t ask the victim, just do it. You can not treat heat stroke from home!!! Get completely out of the heat and into an air conditioned room. Not under a shade tree! Do NOT give any liquids while waiting for medical assistance. The victim will probably lose consciousness. If so, lay them down prop their feet above their head. Do not pour cold water over them. They could go into shock. Initial recovery takes one to two days if no organ damage is detected.
Complete recovery can take two months to a year, depending on the damage done internally. Have their medical information ready to give to medics. Know about what time you noticed they started acting abnormally, (slurred speech, confusion, etc.).
Have a safe summer while outside. This goes especially for our diehard pickleball players. If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
