Heat exhaustion, which commonly occurs with dehydration, can happen after exposure to severe temperatures. Heat exhaustion can be classified into two categories: salt depletion and water depletion. Water depletion heat exhaustion occurs when a person is exposed to severe temperatures without drinking enough fluids. Symptoms frequently appear over the course of a few hours. The best defense against this type of sickness is to stay hydrated. Salt depletion heat exhaustion usually takes many days to manifest.

What it is
Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats and cannot cool itself down. Exercise and other forms of physical activity can cause the body to overheat, especially in hot, humid weather.

While one exercises, their body loses fluids through sweat. As a result, they risk dehydration if they don’t restore those fluids with water or other liquids. In addition, dehydration makes one more susceptible to heat exhaustion.

Heat exhaustion symptoms include dizziness, headaches, nausea, and muscle cramps. The treatment includes resting and drinking lots of fluids. If heat exhaustion is not treated, it can progress to heatstroke, which can be fatal.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion
While heat exhaustion can occasionally be cured without medical assistance, it’s important to remember that it’s a serious medical condition that should be treated immediately, or it can progress to heatstroke. Heat exhaustion symptoms include muscle spasms, illogical behavior, a rapid, weak pulse, fainting, nausea, diarrhea, headache, an elevated temperature, and skin that is cold to the touch.

Causes of heat exhaustion
Activity and working in a hot climate with insufficient body cooling can lead to heat exhaustion. Excessive sweating contributes to dehydration, which results in muscle cramping, exhaustion, nausea, and vomiting. In addition, vomiting and nausea make consuming enough liquid to replenish the body’s water supply difficult, and a lack of bodily water limits the body’s ability to sweat, evaporate, and cool down.
Relative humidity has a substantial impact on the onset of heat exhaustion. This is because sweat cannot flow from the skin and lower the body temperature when humidity levels are too high.
Those who live in a hot climate are more prone to heat exhaustion. For example, during a heat wave, seniors, people in need, and those who live alone may not have access to air conditioning and are at risk of acquiring heat-related illnesses.

Prevention
One can take numerous precautions to avoid heat exhaustion and other heat-related disorders. So when the temperature rises, remember to do the following:

• Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps the body sweat and maintain an average body temperature.
• Never leave somebody inside a parked car. This is a prevalent cause of heat exhaustion in children. When parked in the sun, the inside temperature of the car can rise by more than 11 degrees Celsius in just 10 minutes.
• Even if the windows are cracked or the car is in the shade, leaving someone inside a parked car during warm or hot weather is risky. One must ensure to secure their parked cars so that children cannot access them.
• Wear comfortably with light, breathable attire. Tight clothing does not allow the body to cool down properly.
• Sunburn should be avoided. Sunburn reduces the body’s ability to cool itself. Wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat outside can help one stay safe. It is essential to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15. Use sunscreen liberally and reapply it every two hours. It is imperative to reapply sunscreen if one is sweating or swimming.

Treatment
It is critical to get out of the heat as soon as one starts to show indications of heat exhaustion. One must relax, preferably in an air-conditioned area. If one cannot access an air-conditioned room, they should look for the next cool, shady area.

Here are some treatment options for heat exhaustion:

• Consume fluids, especially sports drinks, to replace lost salt (avoid caffeine).
• Remove any constructive or unnecessary clothing.
• Try taking a cold bath, shower, or sponge bath.
• Employ extra cooling methods, such as fans or ice towels.
• Heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke if left untreated; seek emergency medical attention if these measures do not relieve symptoms within 15 minutes.

Those who have recovered from heat exhaustion will most likely be more sensitive to high temperatures the following week. As a result, it is best to avoid the sun and limit physical activity until a doctor gives the all-clear.

Heat exhaustion can be quite fatal if left untreated. Those who start to experience the symptoms of heat exhaustion should rest in a cool place and drink enough fluids. If symptoms linger after an hour or so, they must get medical attention immediately.