What is the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke? And why does it matter?
Heat exhaustion is an illness that usually occurs from work or play in the hot and humid temperatures. When fluids are lost (sweating)this causes the body to overheat and become dehydrated. This usually occurs with temperatures of the body not exceeding 104 degrees.
On the other hand, Heat stroke (Sunstroke) is life threatening and usually occurs from untreated heat exhaustion. The bodies cooling system is part of the brains nervous system and when it stops working properly body temperatures rise and damage from this illness hits a dangerous level. Body temperatures will rise to 105 degrees and over and multiple symptoms can present including but not limited to rash, cramps, and fainting(syncope). If any of these symptoms are present do not hesitate to get emergency care.
Joy that’s shared is a joy made double. One can endure sorrow alone but it takes two to be glad.
Elbert Hubbard
Please beware and be safe. Hope everyone is having a great summer!
For me this is a personal lesson as the temperatures in Idaho have not yet reach over 90 degrees. However, I was on a medication that has a side effect of leaching Potassium from my blood stream. (Yes, I was aware of the side effect and yes, I elected to try the medication for my hearing issue.) Although I am very good about hydrating when it is hot outside. I did not consider the extra exertion would bring me to a state of emergency. For me this was heat exhaustion that moved quickly into a heart attack, or at least that is what it felt like to me. I had lost to much fluid from perspiration while working in the yard, when I quick sweating and could not catch my breath because my heart was pounding too hard I knew I was in trouble and went directly to the Franklin County Medical Center Emergency Room. They were able to help remedy this issue and I did not have a full-on heart attack. Therefore, I am writing about my experience on the subject of heat exhaustion.