What You Need to Know About Heat-Related Illnesses

Summertime in Arizona can be challenging to say the least. Aside from scorching-hot surfaces and high energy bills, outdoor activity provides a very real set of potential dangers to your health. As El Mirage begins to enter triple-digit-season, we want to bring awareness to medical conditions that can arise from being active in elevated temperatures.

It’s important to be mindful of different heat-related illnesses that become more prevalent in the summer in Arizona. Knowing the differences in symptoms and severity for these conditions can help you to be safe and healthy all throughout the hottest months.

Heat exhaustion can occur with exposure to high temperatures, often during physical activity. When the body overheats, often caused by an excessive loss of water and salt (usually through sweating), heat exhaustion can set in. When left untreated, complications from heat exhaustion can lead to very serious consequences including organ damage or death.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include cold and/or clammy skin, excessive sweating, muscle cramps, nausea/vomiting, and a weak but rapid pulse.

If heat exhaustion-related vomiting lasts longer than one hour, or if symptoms continue to worsen, please seek emergency medical attention. In less-severe cases, you can care for someone with heat exhaustion by moving them to a cool location, apply cool and wet cloths to the body, and offer sips of water. If you’re unsure of the severity of a case of heat exhaustion, it’s always a smart and safe option to come into the El Mirage Medical Center to receive guidance on whether emergency care is needed.

Rhabdomyolysis may be a lesser-known heat-related condition, but because of its severity it deserves some attention. Rhabdomyolysis is associated with physical exertion and heat exposure, and can occur when damaged muscle tissue releases proteins and electrolytes into the blood stream.

Symptoms of Rhabdomyolysis include dark brown or red urine, severe muscle cramps or aches, and feeling overly weak or tired.

If not treated, Rhabdomyolysis can result in organ damage, seizures, disability, or death. It’s important to seek help right away if you notice these symptoms, as getting care immediately can help prevent serious and permanent damage.

Heat Stroke is considered the most serious of heat-related illnesses, and can be fatal if left untreated. Heat stroke occurs when the body stops being able to regulate its own temperature. With heat stroke, the body temperature can rise to 106 degrees or higher in a short amount of time.

Symptoms of heat stroke can include confusion or disorientation, seizures, hot and dry skin, or loss of consciousness.

Heat stroke is considered a severe medical emergency, and someone with related symptoms should be taken to an emergency room as soon as possible. While waiting for emergency care, you can apply cool and wet cloths and move the person to an air-conditioned environment.

Knowing the symptoms, treatments, and causes of these heat-related illnesses can empower you to do the activities you enjoy while being mindful of potential medical issues. As always, the El Mirage Medical Center is ready 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, for your medical emergencies, medical worries, and urgent medical situations in El Mirage. We take pride in allowing the community of El Mirage to feel confident and secure in knowing that emergency medical care is close and accessible, whenever needed and for whatever reason. We’re proud to be a staple in El Mirage, and look forward to partnering with you to maintain your health and wellness.