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Heatwaves and hot weather can kill. Learn about the signs, symptoms and treatment of heatstroke and heat exhaustion so you can help yourself and others when the temperature soars. Heatwaves can kill, so learn how to stay cool in hot weather and watch for the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Here's what to look for and what you can do to help. Note that risk of heat related illness can increase with young children and elderly, pregnancy and those taking certain medications. Here's what to look for and what you can do to help. What is heat exhaustion?Heat exhaustion happens when someone becomes dehydrated due to fluid loss from a hot environment and/or excessive physical activity Heat exhaustion signs and symptoms
Heat exhaustion treatment
What is heat stroke?Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency and can cause a person to collapse or fall unconscious Heat stroke is more serious and means the body is no longer able to regulate its temperature by cooling the skin's surface by sweating. The internal body temperature rises, and organ damage can occur. Heat stroke signs and symptoms
Heat stroke treatment
For more information, download the Red Cross First Aid App. In very hot weather, you can get burnt from contact with the hot ground in seconds. If someone has collapsed outdoors, try to place something between them and the hot ground (like a towel or blanket) to prevent burns, or if safe to do so - move them into the shade or onto the grass. Early signs of dehydration and heat-related illness include: If you or someone you know is showing these signs and feeling unwell: More serious heat-related illnesses include heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Heat ExhaustionHeat exhaustions is a mild to moderate illness caused by water or salt depletion, that results from exposure to high heat or strenuous physical exercise. The signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include (in addition to those above):
What to do if you or someone you know is showing the signs of heat exhaustion:
If symptoms of heat exhaustion last for more than an hour, call 000 immediately for an ambulance or go to a hospital Emergency Department. HeatstrokeHeatstroke is a severe illness where a person’s temperature is greater than 40°C, and the person is experiencing delirium (confusion), convulsions, or coma, resulting from exposure to high heat or strenuous physical exercise. The signs and symptoms of heatstroke include:
Emergency treatment for heatstrokeIf you notice any of the above signs of heatstroke in yourself or others, call 000 immediately for an ambulance. Heatstroke is an extreme medical emergency. If not treated immediately, it can lead to permanent damage to vital organs or even death. While waiting for the ambulance to arrive:
If the person is conscious:
If the person is unconscious:
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How do you treat a person with heat stroke and heat exhaustion?Treatment. Immerse you in cold water. A bath of cold or ice water has been proved to be the most effective way of quickly lowering your core body temperature. ... . Use evaporation cooling techniques. ... . Pack you with ice and cooling blankets. ... . Give you medications to stop your shivering.. What is the first action you should take if someone is showing signs of heat stroke?Confusion, slurred speech, or unconsciousness are signs of heat stroke. When these types of symptoms are present, call 911 immediately and cool the worker with ice or cold water until help arrives.
What is heat exhaustion in first aid?Heat exhaustion is the moderate form of heat illness. Heat illness occurs when a person's core body temperature rises above a safe level of the body's internal temperature range. Heat cramps are the earliest sign of heat illness.
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