Heat Stroke Signs & Symptoms
Every summer, more than 2000 people go to the emergency room in Phoenix and receive IV fluids for heat-related illness like dehydration and heat stroke. Most assume the highest risk patients are the elderly and young children - and those populations do have the highest hospitalization rates.
But surprisingly, the most common heat illness patients treated in the ER are males ages 15-34, and the most common reason for heat illness was participating in outdoor sports or exercise.
Exterional Heat Stroke
This kind of heat illness is know as Exertional Heat Stroke. It's a growing concern around the globe as cities grow and turn into urban heat islands - even the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is preparing strategies for dealing with exertional heat exhaustion in the world's top athletes.
In Tokyo, researchers are stressing the importance of becoming familiar with the signs & symptoms of heat stroke, all the way from muscle cramps and mild dehydration in Stage 1 to confusion and hyperventilation in Stage 4. Educating athletes, trainers and coaches on the symptoms of each should result in earlier treatment, and fewer cases of Stage 4 heat stroke.
Attention is also being focused on pre-treating athletes on-site who show the signs and symptoms of heat stroke, instead of transporting them to the hospital and treating them on arrival. Reducing time to treatment should reduce illness severity, and may result in fewer hospitalizations.
Heat Illness in Phoenix
Athletes in Phoenix - particularly young adults and their parents - also need to get familiar with the signs and symptoms of heat stroke. Youth sports and adult pick-up leagues don't pause for the triple digits here in Phoenix, and recognizing when yourself or a teammate is showing signs of heat illness is vital.
WHEN IN DOUBT, CALL 911
Heat Stroke Signs & Stages:
STAGE 1: EXERCISE ASSOCIATED MUSCLE CRAMP
- Cramping
- Pain
- Dehydration
- Thirst
- Sweaty Skin
- Fatigue
STAGE 2: DEHYDRATION & HEAT SYNOCOPE
- Fainting
- Dizziness
- Tunnel Vision
- Pale
- Sweaty Skin
- Dropping Pulse Rate
STAGE 3: HEAT EXHAUSTION & CENTRAL FATIGUE
- Dehydration
- Excessive Fatigue
- Weakness
- Fainting
- Dizziness
- Low Blood Pressure
- Headache
- Sweaty Skin
- Lightheadedness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Low Coordination
STAGE 4: EXERTIONAL HEAT STROKE
- Dehydration
- Hot & Sweaty Skin
- Low Blood Pressure
- Hyperventilation
- Bizarre Behavior
- Hallucination
- Altered Mental Status
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Coma
Mobile IV Hydration Therapy Can Help
"For moderate dehydration, intravenous (IV) fluids may be needed." - John Hopkins Medicine
Mobile IV hydration therapy can play a role heat illness if it's recognized before it becomes life-threatening. IV therapy provides instant hydration to the body, and even just one liter of fluids can drastically help with heat illness.
Prana IV Therapy uses a special solution called "Lactated Ringers" that includes a balance of electrolytes - essential during extreme sweating and fluid loss for maintaining your body's proper balance of minerals. You can feel the difference over basic saline - and your body will thank you!
Even better? We are mobile, and we will go anywhere - no travel fees! If you're at a sporting event or outdoor activity and feel dehydrated and ill, don't waste time. Give us a call at 480-202-4993 & we can rehydrate you on the spot or in your car!
Remember: When in doubt, call 911!
Heat Stroke Infographic
Pass along our heat stroke infographic to help others know the signs & symptoms of heat stroke - you could help save a life (or at least a trip to the hospital!)
