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Heat Exhaustion

By

David Tanen

, MD, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Reviewed/Revised Mar 2023
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION

Heat exhaustion is excessive loss of salts (electrolytes) and fluids due to heat, leading to decreased blood volume that causes many symptoms, sometimes including fainting or collapse.

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

Symptoms of heat exhaustion tend to be vague and similar to the symptoms of many other illnesses. People may not realize that their symptoms are related to the heat. Symptoms include

  • Dizziness

  • Light-headedness

  • Weakness

  • Fatigue

  • Headache

  • Blurred vision

  • Muscle aches

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

Muscle cramps may occur but often do not. People may feel faint or even lose consciousness when standing. Drenching sweats are common. The heart rate and breathing rate may become rapid. Blood pressure may become low.

Unlike in heatstroke Heatstroke Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that results in very high body temperature and malfunction of many organ systems, which may be fatal. (See also Overview of Heat Disorders.) Heatstroke... read more , confusion and incoordination do not occur in heat exhaustion. Also, body temperature is usually normal and if it is high, it is generally not higher than 104° F (40° C).

Diagnosis of Heat Exhaustion

  • Symptoms and a history of exposure to heat

Heat exhaustion usually is diagnosed on the basis of the symptoms and occurrence after exposure to heat. Laboratory tests may be needed if doctors suspect a diagnosis other than heat exhaustion, or sometimes to measure the levels of sodium in the blood of people who may have drunk too much plain water.

Treatment of Heat Exhaustion

  • Rest in a cool environment

  • Replace fluids and salts

Treatment of heat exhaustion involves rest (stopping activity), removing people from the hot environment, and replacing fluids and salts, either by mouth (with a sports drink or a solution of about 1 to 2 quarts of water containing 2 teaspoons of salt) or intravenously. Removing or loosening clothing and wetting the skin or applying wet cloths can also aid cooling.

After receiving fluids, people usually recover rapidly and fully.

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
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