Can the body become to hot? If it can, what do we need to do? Yes, our bodies can become too hot, especially during the summer, and we need to be aware of how we feel when it is hot so that we don”t get sick. When our bodies become too hot, it is
either heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Heat exhaustion can happen when we exercise by working out or playing in a hot, humid place and our body fluids are lost through sweating. This causes our bodies to overheat, and our temperature might go as high as 104 F (40 C). Symptoms are:
- Often pale with cool, moist skin
- Sweating profusely
- Muscle cramps or pains
- Feels faint or dizzy
- May complain of headache , weakness, thirst, and nausea
- Core (rectal) temperature elevated-usually more than 100 F (37.7 C) and the pulse rate increased
Heat stroke can be called heatstroke or sun stroke, and it is a life-threatening medical condition. It happens when our bodies” cooling system stops working and our body temperature rises to the point at where we might have brain damage or damage to other internal organs (temperature may reach 105 F or greater [40.5 C or greater]). Symptoms are:
- Unconscious or has a markedly abnormal mental status (dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, or coma)
- Flushed, hot, and dry skin (although it may be moist initially from previous sweating or from attempts to cool the person with water)
- May have slightly elevated blood pressure at first that falls later
- May be hyperventilating
- Rectal (core) temperature of 105 F (40.5 C) or more
Treat Heat exhaustion and heat stroke by moving indoors or to a shaded area, drink lots of water or fluids without caffine, and cool the skin. If you have heatstroke, also call 911.
