During the warmer months, many of us may experience a heat-related injury known as heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is a condition caused by exposure to high temperatures, especially those experienced when exercising or performing physical tasks in hot environments.
Heat exhaustion is a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur when the environmental temperature rises above the body’s ability to cope. It can occur any time you’re exposed to extreme heat or exercise in hot weather without adequate fluids or rest breaks.
Certain activities increase your risk of heat-related illness during hot weather: Walking, running or hiking outdoors without proper clothing — including a hat and cool clothing. These activities may also increase your risk of developing heat-related illnesses such as heat rash and sunburns.
Heat exhaustion, if not treated, can lead to heat stroke, a life-threatening condition.
What Is Heat Exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion is the body’s reaction to excessive loss of water and salt, typically through excessive sweating. The elderly, those with high blood pressure, and those who work, exercise, or perform any physical activity in a hot atmosphere are mostly affected by heat exhaustion. Your body loses fluids through sweat as you perform physical activities. You risk dehydration if you don’t replenish those fluids with water or other liquids. Dehydration can also increase your risk of heat exhaustion.
Although heat exhaustion isn’t life-threatening, it shouldn’t be taken lightly. If untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, a life-threatening condition resulting in brain damage, other vital organs, or even death.
Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms of heat exhaustion are similar to those of many other medical conditions, which can make it easy to overlook. The following symptoms characterize heat exhaustion:
- Weak and rapid heart rate
- Sweating excessively
- Increased body temperature
- Muscle cramps or weakness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness and blurred vision
- Cold, pale, damp skin, accompanied by goosebumps
- Light-headedness
- Vomiting
- Fever, usually above 100℉
- Fatigue, fainting, and weakness
- Irritability
- Red, flushed faceRapid, shallow breathing
- Swollen ankles or feet and hands
- Low blood pressure when standing up
Heat exhaustion symptoms can appear suddenly or gradually. You may experience heat cramps or a red rash (heat rash) before the onset of symptoms of heat exhaustion. Any muscle can experience these excruciating cramps, but the arms or legs are where they typically occur.
Heat Exhaustion in Children
Children are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses than adults due to their thinner skin, higher body temperature, and lower blood circulation. Some children may exhibit symptoms even if they’re not actively engaged in strenuous activities. Feeling nauseous, dizzy, excessively fatigued, unusually thirsty, and having cool, clammy skin are some of the telltale signs of heat exhaustion in children.
Heat exhaustion in children is a condition that needs immediate attention.
Heat Exhaustion Versus Heat Stroke
If left untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke. Heat exhaustion does not cause impaired mental function, confusion, or loss of consciousness, unlike heatstroke. Unlike heat exhaustion, heat stroke requires emergency medical care. A person suffering from heat stroke might also experience headaches, confusion, no sweat, a rapid heartbeat, nausea,
vomiting, and or passing out.
Heatstroke is also characterized by a body’s internal temperature above 104℉, which does not happen in heat exhaustion. Unlike heat exhaustion, heat stroke is more severe; it puts stress on the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver and can lead to death.
What Causes Heat Exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion may occur if your body temperature rises and you cannot cool down soon enough. High temperatures like those experienced throughout the summer may cause this. Your risk of heat exhaustion might also increase when high temperatures are paired with high humidity. Sitting in a hot car without air conditioning is another cause of heat exhaustion.
Strenuous physical activities carried out in hot and humid conditions are another common cause of heat exhaustion.
Your risk of heat exhaustion may also be high if you are dehydrated. It’s therefore essential to drink a lot of fluids, especially on hot days. If you’re in a hot environment for several days without a temperature break, you can experience heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion can develop if your body temperature rises too much over time.
Risk Factors for Heat Exhaustion
The most common risk factors for heat exhaustion include:
- Age: Due to their slower rate of heat adaptation than other people, infants, young children up to the age of 4, and adults over 65 are more at risk.
- Alcohol use: Alcohol use in excess can lead to dehydration. Heat exhaustion risk is increased by dehydration. Alcohol also impairs your ability to regulate body temperature.
- Lifestyle: You’re at an increased risk of heat illness if you exercise in a hot, humid atmosphere. The risk is much higher if you wear bulky clothes or equipment. Heat exhaustion is more likely to occur in individuals who aren’t used to working in hot environments.
- Medications: Medicines such as diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, stimulants, heart, blood pressure, and antipsychotic drugs may have side effects, including vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, which can lead to heat exhaustion.
IV Vitamins for Heat Exhaustion in Oklahoma
You might be unable to drink enough fluids to replenish your body if you become dehydrated. And although drinking hydrating beverages may help you rehydrate, it’s a gradual process that will take time.
Also, water alone is not enough when you’re suffering from heat exhaustion or dehydration. To absorb nutrients, your body needs the right balance of sodium and glucose. In this case, IV vitamins for dehydration and heat exhaustion may be required.
IV fluids may be useful in treating heat exhaustion immediately before it becomes life-threatening. IV therapy delivers rapid hydration to the body, and even just one liter of fluids can dramatically aid with heat illness.
IV vitamins for heat exhaustion successfully address heat illnesses by bypassing your digestive system and introducing a saline solution packed with vitamins straight into your bloodstream. As a result, your body swiftly restores its fluid balance, giving you back your energy and well-being.
NP2GO Clinic offers IV therapy for heat exhaustion in Oklahoma and its environs. You can choose to replace electrolytes using IV fluids for an extra dosage of energy and immunity.
We know you may not have the energy to go to the doctor’s office or wait in an emergency room when you’re suffering from heat exhaustion. NP2GO Clinic introduced mobile IV infusion therapy, and our compassionate nurses are ready to bring it to you.
NP2GO Clinic provides IVs for heat exhaustion throughout Oklahoma City, including Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Edmond, Nichols Hills, Bethany, Yukon, Mustang, Jenks, Bixby, and Owasso.
Every patient is evaluated by a nurse practitioner before treatment. Our team arrives at your location within an hour so that you can start feeling better as soon as possible.
When you reach out to us, our trained and qualified nurse practitioners arrive at your location quickly, assess your symptoms, take your vital signs, and recommend an IV formulation designed to rehydrate your body.
Our team is ready to provide the health benefits of IV fluids when you need them wherever you are in Oklahoma City. Easily book an appointment or call or text us at 405-696-7003 to request an IV for heat exhaustion.