NHS difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke explained and when to call 999
The NHS is urging the public to know exactly when the situation progresses from a little too hot to the point where emergency services need to step in. It comes as the UK faces more intense heat, with highs reaching almost 40°C in parts of England.
The Met Office has issued another yellow weather warning for thunderstorms as people continue to face high temperatures. With the intense heat comes the risk of people being overexposed to the elements and suffering from health problems like heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Posting on Instagram, the health service said: "Know the different signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical help if you can cool down within 30 minutes.
"But if it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency. It’s important to know the signs of heatstroke and how to get help. Call 999 if you or someone else has signs of heatstroke."
The symptoms of heat exhaustion are often the same in adults and children. If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion, they need to be cooled down and given fluids.
The NHS says that the main red flags for this problem include:
- tiredness
- dizziness
- headache
- feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
- excessive sweating and skin becoming pale and clammy (a change in skin colour can be harder to see on brown or black skin)
- cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
- a high temperature
- being very thirsty
- feeling irritable
Heatstroke is classed as a medical emergency. The NHS website says that anyone suffering from this should "get immediate medical help".
The symptoms of heatstroke are much more severe than a case of heat exhaustion, and can include:
- a very high temperature
- hot skin without sweating (this can be harder to see on brown or black skin)
- fast breathing and a fast heartbeat
- confusion and restlessness
- seizures or fits
- loss of consciousness
Call 999 if you, or someone else, have signs of heatstroke. The emergency services suggest that people might be dealing with heatstroke if they are "still unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place", which includes being cooled and drinking fluids.
Do not drive yourself to A&E. The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.
Daily Express
