The Difference Between Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
If I haven't experienced someone close to me suffering from heat exhaustion, I would not have realized how important it was to watch out for the signs.
Last month, while we were in Coldwater for my son's soccer tournament, I had watched him collapsing to the ground, right after the game. The weather was cloudy, and wet! He had a supply of Gatorade and water for drinking. So I thought everything was fine! I didn't take into consideration that humidity played an important part in the grand scheme.
JoJo Jumped Up for a Chest Goal
Picture Courtesy of Todd Butkowski
My son ran toward us, saying that he could not breathe, and collapsed right on the ground. We gave him water to drink, and called out for his coach, who luckily was studying to be an EMD (emergency driver, I think that is what EMD stands for!)
By this time, my son had a circle of people around him with curiosities and worries! Derek, his coach, applied cold towels on his forehead, his chest, his belly, and took off his soccer foot gears. He tried to get JoJo's breathing pattern back to normal while cooling off his body.
Victory
Picture Courtesy of Todd Butkowski
JoJo played hard, sweat like crazy, and his cheeks were flushed! Though he used to drink two bottles of water for every game, but this time he only took a few sips and resulting in dehydration! Since this was a Regional tournament, the parents had to sit on the opposite site of the field, and I was not able to remind him to drink.
Celebrating
Picture Courtersy of Todd Butkowski
If you are going to be outside this summer, here are the signs to tell between heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Heat Exhaustion Symptoms:
Last month, while we were in Coldwater for my son's soccer tournament, I had watched him collapsing to the ground, right after the game. The weather was cloudy, and wet! He had a supply of Gatorade and water for drinking. So I thought everything was fine! I didn't take into consideration that humidity played an important part in the grand scheme.
JoJo Jumped Up for a Chest Goal
Picture Courtesy of Todd ButkowskiMy son ran toward us, saying that he could not breathe, and collapsed right on the ground. We gave him water to drink, and called out for his coach, who luckily was studying to be an EMD (emergency driver, I think that is what EMD stands for!)
By this time, my son had a circle of people around him with curiosities and worries! Derek, his coach, applied cold towels on his forehead, his chest, his belly, and took off his soccer foot gears. He tried to get JoJo's breathing pattern back to normal while cooling off his body.
Victory
Picture Courtesy of Todd ButkowskiJoJo played hard, sweat like crazy, and his cheeks were flushed! Though he used to drink two bottles of water for every game, but this time he only took a few sips and resulting in dehydration! Since this was a Regional tournament, the parents had to sit on the opposite site of the field, and I was not able to remind him to drink.
Celebrating
Picture Courtersy of Todd ButkowskiIf you are going to be outside this summer, here are the signs to tell between heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Heat Exhaustion Symptoms:
- Muscle cramps
- Headache
- Heavy perspiring
- Nausea
- Weakness and or dizziness
- Dry Mouth
- Pale or flushed skin
- Lethargy
- Go in the shaded area
- Drink some water
- Cool off with wet towels, or any way you can
- If the symptoms don't go away, seek medical attention
- Tempareture above 103 degrees Fahrenheit
- Hot
- Dry
- Red skin
- Not sweating
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Confusion/disorientation
- Hallucinations
- Loss of consciousness
- Call 911
- Get the person to the shaded area
- Cool the body off however you can
- Do not give fluids
- If the person suffers from convulsion, keep him/her from hurting himself/herself
7 comments:
thanks for this very informative post Icy. Never know the exact difference before between heat stroke and heat exhaustion. glad your son is better now and was able to recover from that heat exhaustion, though the pictures looked like they were having a great time, and winning, but we never know sometimes how our body is coping as well from the activities.
That must have been a frightening experience! When I'm out in the heat, I try to drink water regularly even when I'm not thirsty. Interesting and timely article about the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
I'm sure that had to be a very scary experience for you. I hope that your son is doing much better now. I never really knew that there was a difference between heat strokes and heat exhaustion. Thank you so much for clearing that up.
hi, IcyBC, am i glad i hopped over! at work last night, i was mulling over conditions that have very similar symptoms because i was planning to make a post on them, and this is very timely! i hope that your son is up and going again! we never can take chances!
hope you don't mind me coming by every now and then...
Icy, an excellent post. I taught First Aid and CPR for over ten years in Georgia and Alaska. Unfortunately I have also had to use that training on many occasions including treating Heat Stroke.
Most folks don't realize it doesn't have to be a really hot day to be dangerous. Everyone should be able to recognize the symptoms in themselves as well as others.
My oldest son had a heat stroke once and was hospitalized for 3 days. His kidneys had shut down. It is very dangerous. Wonderful post, Icy and I am so glad Joey is all right. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you everyone, for your time and comments.
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