Heat exhaustion is one of the most common heat-related illnesses during the summer months. It can affect people of any age, but older adults can be at higher risk. This is because the body becomes less efficient at regulating body temperature with age. Seniors don’t sweat as much as younger people and have a harder time adjusting to fluctuations in temperature. Chronic health conditions and certain medications can also increase the risk of overheating.
In this guide, we explain what heat exhaustion is, what it feels like, how long it lasts, and how to treat it so that you and your senior loved ones can address heat exhaustion promptly and prevent serious health complications.
- What Is Heat Exhaustion?
- Who's At Risk of Heat Exhaustion?
- Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke: What’s the Difference?
- What Does Heat Exhaustion Feel Like?
- How Long Does Heat Exhaustion Last?
- What Is the Best Treatment for Heat Exhaustion?
- How Can You Prevent Heat Exhaustion at Home?
- Heat Exhaustion FAQs
What Is Heat Exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats after prolonged exposure to high temperatures, especially if you’re dehydrated. Normally, sweating helps the body cool itself when it gets too warm, but when you lose too much fluid through sweating without replacing fluids, you can get dehydrated.
Dehydration is one of the features of heat exhaustion. As your body loses fluid, your blood pressure may get too high or too low, affecting circulation and leading to heat exhaustion symptoms like dizziness, weakness, and nausea. If you don’t cool off and hydrate your body, heat exhaustion can get worse and lead to more serious complications, such as heat stroke.
Who’s At Risk of Heat Exhaustion?
While heat exhaustion can occur at any age, seniors are more likely to experience heat exhaustion in the summer. This is because several age-related changes increase the risk of heat exhaustion in older adults.
Seniors often sweat less, which reduces the body’s ability to cool itself. The heart may have trouble pumping enough blood through the body when it gets hot. Normally, the body sends more blood to the skin to release heat and cool down. But if the heart and blood vessels can’t increase blood flow fast enough, the body may not be able to cool quickly enough, which can increase the risk of heat stroke.
Some chronic health conditions that are common in seniors, including heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes, can also increase the risk of heat exhaustion among older adults.
Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke: What’s the Difference?
When heat exhaustion isn’t addressed and treated, it can become heat stroke, which is considered a medical emergency. While both are heat-related illnesses, heat stroke is far more severe. Here’s a glance at the differences between heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
|
|
Heat Exhaustion |
Heat Stroke |
|
Severity |
Serious illness, but can be treated with fluids and cooling |
Can be a life-threatening emergency |
|
Body temperature |
Normal to elevated temperature (typically below 104°F) |
High body temperature (over 104°F) |
|
Skin temperature |
Cool, pale, and clammy |
Hot, flushed, and dry |
|
Sweating |
Heavy sweating |
Sweating may stop |
If you suspect you or your loved one has heat stroke, call 911 immediately. Heat stroke can be life-threatening and needs medical intervention as soon as possible.
What Does Heat Exhaustion Feel Like?
Heat exhaustion often feels like weakness, dizziness, heavy sweating, nausea, and overwhelming fatigue during hot weather. For seniors, these symptoms can be intense and come on quickly. Common early signs of heat exhaustion include:
- Heavy sweating
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Feeling thirsty
- Increased body temperature
- Urinating less than usual
Older adults may also experience subtle changes in thinking or behavior, such as mild confusion, irritability, slower responses, and unsteadiness when standing or walking.
How Long Does Heat Exhaustion Last?
Mild heat exhaustion can improve within a few hours once you or your loved one is cooled and rehydrated. Full recovery in normal circumstances can take 24 to 48 hours, but it’s common to experience lingering fatigue.
While a full recovery can be gradual, you should notice symptoms starting to improve. If heat exhaustion symptoms don’t steadily improve within a day, contact a healthcare provider for guidance. If symptoms are worsening, you or your loved one may be experiencing heat stroke. Signs of heat stroke include:
- Increasing confusion
- Fainting
- Rising body temperature
- Dry, flushed skin
- Rapid pulse
- No longer sweating
If you notice signs of heat stroke, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
What Is the Best Treatment for Heat Exhaustion?
The best treatment for heat exhaustion is immediate cooling, rest, and rehydration. Go indoors where you can be in the air-conditioning, lie down, and take small sips of cool water or electrolyte drinks.
If you’re helping a loved one recover safely from heat exhaustion, here are some tips to ensure their safety:
- Monitor their mental clarity to see if confusion or irritability gets worse.
- Apply cooling cloths to the forehead, neck, armpits, or groin. These areas have blood vessels closer to the skin’s surface for quicker cooling.
- Check their temperature, if possible, and seek medical attention if it reaches 104°F.
- Watch for worsening symptoms, and don’t leave the person alone while they’re showing symptoms of heat exhaustion.
- If symptoms become severe or begin to look like heat stroke, call 911 immediately.
How Can You Prevent Heat Exhaustion at Home?
Heat exhaustion is often preventable with a few common summer care tips:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Eat water-rich foods, such as watermelon, strawberries, and lettuce.
- Keep cool indoors by opening the windows for more air flow, using fans, or turning on the air-conditioning.
- Sit in shady areas when spending time outdoors.
- Wear lightweight, loose, breathable clothing.
- Save gardening and yard work for early morning or late evening, when the weather is cooler.
Frequently Asked Questions About Heat Exhaustion
What are the first signs of heat exhaustion?
The first signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and irritability. You might also experience mild confusion, thirst, decreased urination, and cool or clammy skin.
Can heat exhaustion happen indoors?
Yes, heat exhaustion can happen indoors when the room is too hot without enough airflow. Older adults aren’t able to regulate their body temperature as well as younger adults, and a warm room can quickly cause seniors to become overheated.
How much water should seniors drink to prevent heat exhaustion?
Seniors should drink six to eight glasses of water a day to prevent heat exhaustion, but you may need more if you’re dehydrated. Take small, frequent sips of water or electrolyte drinks throughout the day.
When should I call 911 for heat exhaustion?
You should call 911 if you or your loved one’s body temperature is above 104°F. If you notice other symptoms, such as severe confusion, sweating has stopped, or skin is hot, dry, or flushed, these may be symptoms of heat stroke.
When should I call a doctor instead of 911?
You should call a doctor if the symptoms of mild or moderate heat exhaustion aren’t getting better within a day. But if you’re not sure, don’t hesitate to get help right away.
BrightStar Care® Can Help You Stay Sun-Safe During the Summer
Heat exhaustion is a common but preventable illness, and early recognition and prompt cooling can prevent serious complications. If you or your loved one need support at home during the summer, BrightStar Care can help you stay happy and healthy.
Our compassionate caregivers and nurses can help with outdoor safety, medication reminders, and ensuring proper hydration to reduce the risk of heat exhaustion.
Whether you're looking for nurse-led in-home care services or a reliable medical staffing partner for your organization, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online, or call (866) 618-7827 to learn more about how BrightStar Care offers A Higher Standard®.