Summertime brings people of all ages outside for warm weather activities. But as outdoor activities increase, so does the risk of heat injury. A sustained elevated body temperature can lead to heatstroke, which can be dangerous if not prevented or treated promptly. Learning when to seek help if you or someone else becomes too warm outdoors, and knowing when heatstroke requires immediate medical attention is life-saving information to have on hand as the weather warms up.
What is Heatstroke?
It’s important to note that not everyone who gets overheated while participating in outdoor activities will experience heatstroke. However, there are warning signs that occur before heatstroke, so it’s important to recognize the signs of overheating. If swift action is taken during the earlier stages of heat injury, heatstroke can be prevented.
Heatstroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the human body reaches and sustains a temperature above 104°F. This type of hyperthermia, or increased body temperature, most commonly occurs when someone is exposed to hot temperatures for an extended period of time, or while engaged in strenuous physical activity. Heatstroke is most common in individuals spending an extended period of time or working outdoors during the summer.
If left untreated, heatstroke can quickly cause irreversible damage to your organs, brain, heart, and muscles. The longer heatstroke goes untreated, the more damage it can cause– which increases the risk of serious complications or death. Recognizing the progression of symptoms leading up to heatstroke will help you determine when to seek medical attention.
Symptoms of Heat Injuries
There are different levels of heat injuries:
- Heat cramps
- Heat exhaustion
- Heatstroke
