What Are the Symptoms of Heat Stroke?
Heat stroke can start out as another heat-related affliction such as heat cramps—which is characterized by muscle spasms and a normal temperature—and heat exhaustion—evidenced by pale, moist skin; headache; dizziness; nausea; increased heart rate; low blood pressure; elevated temperature; and profuse sweating. Any of these can be precursors to a full-blown case of heat stroke.
“If you exhibit any of these symptoms,” advises Marilyn J. Heine, MD, an emergency physician in Bucks County, “get out of the heat, rest, and drink plenty of cool fluids, preferably containing sugar and salt.”
Heat stroke’s symptoms, similar to those mentioned above but even more severe, initially include profuse sweating; then hot, dry, red skin; high fever; vomiting; confusion; seizures during cooling; and unconsciousness.
The blood pressure may be low or high, and lack of sweating is common, though athletes may perspire. The body temperature often will be 105 degrees or higher.
The Pennsylvania Medical Society advises immediate treatment if any of these symptoms are present.
“After calling 911,” Heine says, “move the victim to a cooler location, remove heavy clothing, fan the body and wet it down with a cool sponge or cloth, and encourage the individual to drink cool fluids.”
At the hospital, the patient probably will be given fluids intravenously.
Last Updated: 12/17/2008