Heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is one condition on the spectrum of raised body temperature derived from a heat illness. Other heat illnesses include heat cramps and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion is caused by the raising of a person's body temperature from either environmental conditions or by exertion. A raised internal body temperature can induce high amounts of perspiration out of the body, which can lead to the loss of water, salt and other electrolytes.

Prevention of any heat-related illness includes avoiding exposure to very hot environments for prolonged periods, such as tropical sunshine in the middle of the day, or a boiler room, and drinking adequate fluids to replace insensible loss through perspiration, avoiding exertion and exercise in hot weather, avoiding medications that can be detrimental to the regulation of body heat, and removing or loosening clothing.

Signs and symptoms
Common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:


 * skin tingling
 * nausea
 * dizziness
 * irritability
 * headache
 * fatigue
 * vomiting
 * high body temperature
 * and excessive sweating.

These symptoms may also fall under other heat-related illnesses like heat stroke, heat cramps, and heat syncope. Heat stroke is a severe condition as heat-related illness and falls closely to similar symptoms to heat exhaustion. Symptoms of heat stroke that differ from heat exhaustion include hot but dry skin, flushed coloration of the skin, and central nervous system dysfunction. Heat stroke is much more severe in nature in comparison to heat exhaustion in that it can lead to multi-organ failure and death.

Causes
Common causes of heat exhaustion include:
 * Hot, sunny, humid weather
 * Physical exertion, especially in hot, humid weather
 * Due to impaired thermoregulation, elderly people and infants can get serious heat illness even at rest, if the weather outside is hot and humid, and they are not getting enough cool air.
 * Some drugs, such as diuretics, antihistamines, beta-blockers, alcohol, MDMA ('Ecstasy', 'Molly'), and other amphetamines can cause an increase in the risk of heat exhaustion.

Especially during physical exertion, risk factors for heat exhaustion include:
 * Wearing dark, padded, or insulated clothing; hats; and/or helmets (for example, football pads, turnout gear, etc.)
 * Having a higher percentage of body fat
 * Dehydration
 * Fever
 * Some medications, like beta blockers and antipsychotic medicines

Diagnosis
A diagnosis of heat exhaustion most commonly is diagnosed by medical professionals with various physical examinations. Through examination a patient would have their temperature checked and questioned about their recent activity. If the medical professionals suspect a patients heat exhaustion has progressed into heat stroke they may then lead with these varying tests to verify;


 * Blood test, medical professionals when conducting a blood test look for low blood sugar or potassium. They may also look for the presence of unwanted gases in a patients blood.
 * Urinalysis, an urinalysis or urine test is a test to measure color, clarity, pH levels, glucose concentration, and protein levels. The test additionally can check a patient's kidney function, which is common to be affected by classic heat stroke.
 * Muscle function tests, medical professionals use muscle function tests to check for rhabdomyolysis. Which is severe damage to a persons skeletal muscle tissue.

First aid
First aid for heat exhaustion includes:
 * Moving the person to a cool place
 * Having the patient take off extra layers of clothes
 * Cooling the patient down by fanning them and/or putting wet towels on their body
 * Having them lie down and put their feet up if they are feeling dizzy
 * Having them drink water or sports drinks unless they are unconscious, too disoriented to drink, or vomiting
 * Turning the patient on their side if they are vomiting

Emergency medical treatment
If an individual with heat exhaustion receives medical treatment, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), doctors, and/or nurses may also:
 * Provide supplemental oxygen
 * Administer intravenous fluids and electrolytes if they are too confused to drink and/or are vomiting

Prognosis
If left untreated, heat exhaustion may progress to heat stroke.