Signs of Heatstroke and Heat Exhaustion

Written by Obaewankenope

I’ve given myself heat exhaustion AGAIN (heck, I hope it’s only heat exhaustion, rip) and I am not here for it ffs so to make sure y’all know about it, imma share the signs of heat exhaustion!

Heat exhaustion is quite literally your body getting too hot and Exhausting itself to cope. Heatstroke is your body Failing To Cope.

HEAT EXHAUSTION SIGNS INCLUDE:

• You get a headache that Will Not Go Away
• You feel confused and dizzy (balance who? Idk her)
• You don’t feel hungry but you feel sick as well (this sucks and happens a lot in high heat so try and snack regularly)
• Sweating and clammy skin like the kind that has people go “you’re freezing!” because you’ve sweated so much you literally end up with a chill on your skin
• Cramps. Feckin cramps. Arms. Legs. Stomach. They suck ass.
• You have a heckin fast pulse or you’re hyperventilating like you’ve just had a Scare
• Your body temp is over 38°c (because you’re literally boiling like a lobster in a pot)
• You are Beyond Thirsty and no matter what you drink it Does Not Abate

If you end up experiencing any of these symptoms, or multiple, and you’re in a hot/warm environment, then sit your ass down in the shade, get something to drink, and get a damp cloth on your head or a change of clothes that are cool.

Basically, stop what you’re doing and give your body a chance to Not Keep Boiling

Heat exhaustion is NOT THE SAME as a heatstroke.

Heatstroke is So Much Worse™.

HEATSTROKE SIGNS INCLUDE:

• Still feeling like utter shite 30 minutes after you sat your ass down, rested in a cool place, and rehydrated
• Not actually sweating even though you really do feel like a lobster in a pot that has the heat up High
• Your body temp is 40°c+ (which is bad btw, that’s temp for causing your to pass out etc)
• Hyperventilating/fast breathing or actual shortness of breath (I struggle with this because asthma so I’m always like “idk if I got this oops)
• Feeling confused but in a like “I don’t know what’s going on, I can’t think, I have no idea about anything, someone help me please I’m crossing into traffic and don’t even realise” way
• Having a fit/seizure because your body temp is so high your brain is Actually Getting Boiled In Your Skull 🙃 [upside down smiley emoji]
• Passing out and not actually responding or waking up from a brief fainting spell (this is the Serious™ kind of passing out that has doctors going “oh shit, we need an IV STAT!” or whatever it is they say when Shit Is Going Down)

Heatstroke can be really dangerous if it isn’t treated quickly so please don’t ignore these signs. Right now, I’m in a cool environs, with hydration, and am avoiding moving and am gonna have a nap because I’m going very dizzy, can’t focus properly, have a headache, and am only coherent here because I’m HyperFocusing on this post. I can’t even understand words being said to me right now hence nap, hydration, and cool environs.

SO PLEASE, Y’ALL, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES. SERIOUSLY.