While Britain is basking in the sunshine and particularly scorching rays are approaching, the persistently hot climate brings its own perils.
Such prolonged heat in the UK could result in additional individuals suffering from heat stroke or heat exhaustion due to increased sun exposure.
But what exactly are the differences between heat stroke and heat exhaustion?
Read on as a doctor reveals the important differences between the two situations and what to do if you’ve experienced heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
Tips to prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke Avoid the sun between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (File image)
1. Heat exhaustion is a mild illness, however, heat stroke is a medical emergency
Both heat exhaustion and heat stroke occur because your body structure is exposed to an excessive amount of heat. You can get sick both indoors and outdoors – even if the weather is not sunny.
Dr. Ann Nainan explains that heat exhaustion is often a milder illness than heatstroke, but if not treated properly, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke.
Dr. Nainan mentioned heat exhaustion occurs when your body structure overheats.
It tries to cool itself by sweating, and your urine becomes extra concentrated – to retain water – making you extra thirsty.
With that in mind, anyone affected by heat exhaustion should take in additional fluids, equivalent to water or an isotonic sports drink.
If your body structure is not able to eliminate the extra heat, your body temperature rises to 38-40 levels, she defined.
Unlike heat exhaustion, heat stroke is a medical emergency that must be treated immediately.
2. Heatstroke occurs when the body temperature rises above 40C
When a person suffers from heat exhaustion, it is often a milder illness than heat stroke, which does not require medical attention.
dr. However, Nainan cautioned that heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke if not treated properly.
She shared that while heat exhaustion occurs when the body temperature is between 38C and 40C, heat stroke occurs when it exceeds 40C.
It can traumatize organs equivalent to your lungs, kidneys, and liver. If left untreated, it can be fatal. This can happen during heat waves or long intervals of very popular climate.
Also, heat stroke is a type of heat stroke.
The signs and dangers are identical, however it only happens from publicity to an excessive amount of direct daylight equivalent to falling asleep in the sun.
3. Heat stroke can happen when someone has squeaky pores and yet the skin does not sweat
The advice on the NHS website additionally highlights another key difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke in relation to sweating.
It states that people with heat exhaustion may sweat excessively, while people with heatstroke may have sweaty pores and skin.
If someone you already know has heatstroke, call 999. You should also put it in a recovery area in case they pass out while you’re looking for help.
Some people—equivalent to children, the elderly, and those with long-term well-being problems (equivalent to diabetes or coronary heart problems)—are at particularly high risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Therefore, they should be more careful in hot climates to make sure they don’t suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Anyone affected by heat exhaustion should take extra fluids equivalent to water or an isotonic sports drink (File image)
4. Symptoms of heat stroke may include seizures, convulsions, or loss of consciousness.
Another important difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke is the particularly extreme effects of the latter on a person.
If a person with heat exhaustion is treated accurately and his illness does not progress to heatstroke, he should start to feel better within half an hour.
Indicators of heat exhaustion can include dizziness, fatigue, headaches, or someone with poor physical health.
The signs of heatstroke are also especially critical because they can include someone having seizures, convulsions, or loss of consciousness.
Tips to prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke include drinking extra cool drinks, especially if you’re active or exercising, wearing light, loose-fitting clothes, staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm and never drinking too much alcohol . .
