Heat Exhaustion results from loss of fluid through sweating when a person fails to drink enough fluids or take in enough salt or both. People normally cool their bodies by sweating, but under some conditions sweating isn't enough.

Warning Signs Of Heat Exhaustion Vary But May Include:

• Normal to slightly elevated body temperature
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Extreme sweating
• Paleness, tiredness, dizziness
• Skin that is clammy and moist

What To Do
If you or someone you know has symptoms of heat exhaustion:

1. Get out of the heat quickly and rest in a cold shady place until you feel better.
2. Drink plenty of water and fluids.
3. If you do not feel better within 30 minutes contact your doctor. If heat exhaustion is left untreated, it progresses to heat stoke.

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Heat Stroke occurs when the body is unable to control its temperature. Sweating stops and the body can no longer rid itself of excess heat. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees or higher. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given. This is a severe medical emergency!

Warning Signs Of Heat Stroke Vary But May Include:

• Extremely high body temperature (104 degrees or higher)
• Hot dry skin that may be red, mottled or bluish
• Mental confusion
• Loss of consciousness, convulsions or coma
• Chills and shivering
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing

What To Do
If you see any of these signs, have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the victim:

• Get the victim to a shady area and remove any unnecessary clothing.
• Try to cool the victim. Fan warm air over the person while wetting the skin with luke warm water, sponge with cool water, etc.
• Monitor body temperature, and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101-102 degrees
• If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call 911 or the hospital emergency room for further instructions
• Get medical assistance as soon as possible

Sometimes a victim's muscles will begin to twitch uncontrollably as a result of heat stroke. If this happens, keep the victim from injuring himself, but do not place any object in the mouth and do not give fluids. If there is vomiting, make sure the airway remains open by turning the victim on his or her side.

These self-help measures are not a substitute for medical care but may help you recognize and respond promptly to warning signs of trouble. Your best defense against heat-related illness is prevention.

Prepare for hot weather before it happens.