Heat Exhaustion

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Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness and occurs when the body gets too hot.

Heat exhaustion affects people working or exercising in a hot environment. Infants, children, elderly and obese people are at a particular risk of heat exhaustion. The risk of heat exhaustion increases if heat waves come suddenly, or if a person travels from a cooler environment to a hot environment.

Heat exhaustion occurs due to dehydration and loss of electrolytes through the skin as a result of excessive sweating and a failure to replenish the fluids and electrolytes on time.

A person with heat exhaustion may experience profuse sweating, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting. Heat exhaustion requires immediate attention as it can progress to heat stroke, which is a life-threatening condition and can result in brain damage.

Cooling measures should be instituted as soon as the condition is diagnosed. Fluids and electrolytes should be replaced. Medical help should be sorted especially in cases where the patient does not recover within half an hour or fluid and electrolyte replacement is not possible due to vomiting.

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