Heat illness manifests in various stages, with heat stroke being the most severe and dangerous. Dr. Mike Ren, an assistant professor of family and community medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, explains how to recognize the progression of heat illness to ensure safety during outdoor activities in hot weather.
“Heat illness tends to happen when the body is unable to regulate its temperature due to overexertion or extended periods of time in high temperatures,” said Dr. Ren. “Conditions can range from mild discomfort to life threatening.”
The initial sign of heat illness is heat cramps, which occur due to dehydration or an electrolyte imbalance. If not addressed, these can progress to heat exhaustion, characterized by fever, heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, or nausea.
At this stage, individuals may also experience heat syncope—a fainting episode caused by decreased blood flow to the brain due to prolonged standing in high heat or sudden movements in a hot environment. Without intervention, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke.
Heatstroke is a critical condition where the body's temperature rises rapidly above 104°F and cannot cool down effectively. Severe cases may result in seizures or loss of consciousness and require emergency treatment as untreated heatstroke can cause damage to vital organs.
Dr. Ren advises taking preventive measures once symptoms are recognized: “When heat cramps begin to set in,” he says, “stop any physical activity and move to a cool place inside and air-conditioned if possible.” Hydration is crucial at this point. For suspected heat exhaustion cases, cooling efforts should be made immediately. In case of suspected heat stroke, emergency medical services should be contacted without delay while attempting interim cooling methods like applying ice packs.
Proactive steps are essential for those planning extended time outdoors during hot weather: “Children, elderly individuals and those with chronic conditions that hinder the body’s ability to cool itself are at a higher risk of heat illness,” Ren said. He also highlights the importance of monitoring children for signs such as heat rash and suggests that older adults have regular check-ins during extreme temperatures.
Ren encourages communities to create safe environments for summer activities by providing shaded parks and cooling centers for those lacking air conditioning access. He also stresses awareness about communal air monitoring systems that report on air quality as they offer valuable information for people with respiratory issues.
“Access to these kinds of environments and resources can reduce the amount of heat related illnesses,” Ren noted.
