Heat exhaustion is caused by a loss of salt and water from the body because of excessive sweating in hot weather. This is a dangerous condition that demands an immediate response.
Symptoms may include:
– Headache
– Dizziness and confusion
– Loss of appetite
– Nausea
– Sweating with pale skin
– Cramps in the arms, legs and the abdominal wall
– Rapid, weakening pulse
Treatment:
Your aims are to replace any lost body fluids and salt, to cool the body, if necessary, and to obtain medical help.
– Help the person to move to a cool place
– Sponge with water and use fan
– Get him/her to lie down with their legs raised
– Give him/her plenty of water
– Follow if possible with a weak salt solution – one teaspoon of salt per litre of water
– If the person’s responses deteriorate, place him/her into the recovery position and call a doctor immediately
– Monitor and record any vital signs – the level of response, the pulse and breathing rate