The current heat wave sweeping across the United States is bringing record-breaking temperatures, posing serious health risks to individuals of all ages and backgrounds. According to the CDC, more than 119,000 people visited emergency rooms for heat-related illnesses in 2023. As temperatures continue to soar, it’s crucial to understand the potential dangers which can result from prolonged exposure to high temperatures, how to recognize heat-related illness, and measures to prevent heat-related illness and death.
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Types of Heat-Related Illnesses
Dehydration: Dehydration can be a serious heat-related illness. When you lose more fluid than you take in, the body doesn’t have the water needed to function properly. While thirst may be thought of as a key indicator of dehydration, it is not always a reliable early indicator of the body’s need for water. Additional signs of dehydration include fatigue, dizziness, headache, dry lips and mouth, and heart palpitations or the feeling that your heart is pounding. You may even experience swelling in the feet.
How much water is enough? The best way to prevent dehydration is to drink water before you’re thirsty. Take water with you everywhere and drink it often. Approximately 6 ounces of water every hour is an adequate amount for most healthy people. When you feel thirsty, drink water right away. In addition to drinking water, enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables helps to replace electrolytes that may be diminished due to extreme heat.
When possible, schedule outdoor activities for the cooler parts of the day. In preparation for a day out in the heat, hydrate before heading out for the day’s activities. You should also wear loose-fitting clothing that is light in color and remember your sunglasses, hat, and/or umbrella. Additionally, avoid consuming alcohol within 24 hours of spending time in the heat as alcohol can increase the risk of heat complications.
Heat Exhaustion: Dehydration can lead to serious heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually from excessive sweating. Those at highest risk for developing heat exhaustion are the young, older adults, people with high blood pressure, and those working in hot environments. But it can happen to anyone!
Profuse sweating, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, muscle cramps, paleness, irritability, nausea or vomiting, an elevated temperature, and fainting are all symptoms of heat exhaustion. A person’s skin may also be cool and clammy to the touch, accompanied by a fast and weak pulse with rapid, shallow breathing.
If you or someone you are with begins to exhibit symptoms of heat exhaustion, immediately seek medical care. If possible, move to a cooler area and take frequent sips of water. Remove any unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks, and apply cold compresses to the head, face and neck.
Heat Stroke: Heat stroke is the most serious of all heat-related illnesses and is a life-threatening emergency. In cases of heat stroke, the person is not able to sweat enough to lower their body temperature and the body is unable to cool down. The core body temperature rises rapidly, reaching 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. This can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs, resulting in permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment.
Symptoms of heat stroke include:
- A temperature of 103° F or higher.
- Lack of sweating.
- Red, hot, dry, or damp skin.
- Rapid bounding pulse.
Additionally, a person may experience slurred speech, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, disorientation, agitation, and loss of consciousness. Ultimately, if treatment is delayed, it can lead to permanent organ damage or death.
If you suspect someone is suffering from heat stroke, call 911 immediately. Stay with the person until emergency medical personnel arrive and take measures to lower their body temperature quickly. Move the person to a cooler or shaded area, remove outer clothing, shoes, and socks, and wet the remaining clothing with cold water. Place cold, wet compresses and ice on the head, neck, armpits, and groin. If possible, immerse the person in a bath of cold or ice water, as this has been proven to be the most effective way of quickly lowering core body temperature.
Other Heat-Related Complications
Heat Cramps: Heat cramps usually occur because of excessive sweating during strenuous activity. Sweating depletes the salt and moisture levels of the body. Low levels of salt cause the muscles to cramp in the abdomen or legs. This cramping can also be a sign of heat exhaustion.
Heat Rash: Excessive sweating during hot and humid weather can result in skin irritation known as a heat rash. This rash appears as clusters of red pimples or small blisters occurring in the groin, under the breasts, on the neck, upper chest, or in the elbow creases.
Heat Syncope: Heat syncope is an episode of fainting or dizziness associated with dehydration and/or lack of acclimatization to higher temperatures. These episodes may occur after someone has been sitting too long or suddenly stands after being in a sitting or lying position.
Rhabdomyolysis: Rhabdomyolysis, or rhabdo, is a condition associated with prolonged physical exertion and heat stress that causes the rapid rupture, breakdown, and death of muscle. The effects of the dying tissue can cause the heart to beat irregularly, seizures, and damage the kidneys.
Staying Vigilant
Don’t underestimate the seriousness of extreme heat. If you or someone you are with begins to experience symptoms of any related illness or complication, stop activities immediately and relax in a cool place. Rehydrate and avoid strenuous activities for a few hours.
Staying safe during heat waves involves proactive measures to prevent heat-related illnesses, how to recognize heat-related illness, and interventions to treat heat-related illnesses. By being informed and prepared, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from the harmful effects of extreme heat.
Author: Somerset Warner is an Assistant Professor at Arizona College of Nursing and an experienced Medical/Surgical Nurse with a passion for nursing education. Her years of hands-on experience inform her teaching approach, and she thrives on helping students connect classroom theory to real-world patient care.
