Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion. Do You Know the Difference?

We are in June which is when the official kickoff for Summer is but it's better to start taking precautions from the extreme Summer heat now.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are both very serious heat induced illnesses which can affect everyone from any age and anyone whether they're in good health or not. Before you can combat heat related illnesses it's better to know what the possible symptoms are. When it comes to heat exhaustion symptoms, according to the AgriLife Today website, do include

• Headache, dizziness, tingling of the skin, fast or weak pulse, nausea, muscle cramps, excessive sweating, and agitation

Heat stroke is the more serious of the two heat related illnesses and happens when the body temperature exceeds 103 degrees and the body loses the ability to regulate it's own temperature. Heat stroke symptoms will be some the same symptoms as heat exhaustion but also includes the more serious symptoms of

• Confusion, hot or red skin, vomiting, and loss of consciousness

If you notice these symptoms in someone then 911 should be called immediately.

Once medical emergency crews have been contacted it's best to place the person suffering from those symptoms in a cool shaded place, or indoors, as advised by AgriLife Today. This way their temperature can try to get back to normal, it's also advised that wetting the skin or placing something cool and wet on the head, neck or armpits can help. Never try to give someone who is unconscious a drink, obviously, and it is best to consult with someone in the medical field who has experience with heat related illnesses.