Heat exhaustion
A warning that the body is getting too hot. The person may be thirsty, giddy, weak, uncoordinated, nauseous, and sweating profusely. The body temperature is usually normal and the pulse is normal or raised. The skin is cold and clammy. Although heat exhaustion often is caused by the body’s loss of water and salt, salt supplements should only be taken with advice from a doctor. Heat exhaustion is the body's response to an excessive loss of water and salt contained in sweat. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood preset and people working or exercising in a hot environment. The warning signs of heat exhaustion include: {{}}heavy sweating paleness muscle cramps tiredness weakness dizziness headache nausea or vomiting fainting The skin may be cool and moist. The victim's pulse rate will be fast and weak, and breathing will be fast and shallow. If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to heat stroke. Seek medical attention immediately if: {{}}symptoms are severe, or the victim has heart problems or high blood pressure. Otherwise, help the victim to cool off, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour. Cooling measures that may be effective include: {{}}cool, non-alcoholic beverages, as directed by your physician rest cool shower, bath, or sponge bath an air-conditioned environment lightweight clothing
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heat exhaustion n a condition marked by weakness, nausea, dizziness, and profuse sweating that results from physical exertion in a hot environment
called also heat prostration compare HEATSTROKE
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fatigue and collapse due to the low blood pressure and blood volume that result from loss of body fluids and salts after prolonged or unaccustomed exposure to heat. It is most common in new arrivals in a hot climate and is treated by giving drinks or intravenous injections of salted water.
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an effect of excessive exposure to heat, occurring among workers in hot places such as furnace rooms and foundries and sometimes in those under prolonged exposure to the sun's heat. It is marked by a core temperature that ranges from slightly subnormal to slightly elevated, with dizziness, headache, nausea, and sometimes delirium or collapse. Distinguished from heat stroke and sunstroke, in which the body temperature may be dangerously elevated. Called also heat prostration.
Medical dictionary.
2011.