9 Things to Know About Heatstroke and Heat-Related Illness

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By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Even as the weather cool downs in fall, there may still be some unseasonably warm days ahead of us. It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of heatstroke and heat-related illness during the summer, but also all year round.

Here are nine things to know, provided by doctors who practice in Pacific Palisades.

Signs of heat-related illness: Dr. Damon Raskin, a board-certified practitioner of internal medicine, emphasized the importance of being able to distinguish between heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

“It’s sort of a continuum where heat exhaustion happens before heatstroke,” Raskin explained. “Heatstroke is a true emergency where you have to call 911, heat exhaustion can be reversed.”

Symptoms of heat exhaustion are similar to those of heatstroke, but may appear a little less extreme, like headaches, light headedness and muscle cramps. At this point, the person may be sweating, but if a situation progresses to heatstroke, they often stop sweating as their body starts to turn off.

Signs of heatstroke: When it comes to recognizing the signs of heatstroke, Los Angeles County Public Health explained that it is important to reach out to emergency services if a person has a high body temperature, is vomiting, and has pale and clammy skin.

Additional signs of heatstroke to watch out for include: altered mental state or behavior, alteration in sweating, nausea, flushed skin, rapid breathing, racing heart rate and headache, according to Mayo Clinic.

“If they are really losing consciousness or their temperature is going very high,” Dr. Gary Green with Primary Care Pacific Palisades – Saint John’s Physician Partners said, “then they need to be transported immediately to an emergency room.”

How to alleviate symptoms: Mayo Clinic recommended that when a person is experiencing heat-related illness, take them into the shade or indoors, remove excess clothing, and cool the person with whatever means possible, whether that’s a cool tub of water or a cool shower, spraying them with a garden hose, or placing ice packs or cold, wet towels on the person.

How to prevent heat-related illness and heatstroke: Public Health encouraged all Angelenos to take precautions to avoid heat-related illness, “especially older adults, young children, outdoor workers, athletes and people with a chronic medical condition who are especially sensitive to negative health impacts from extreme heat.”

During high temperature days, Public Health recommended that people drink plenty of water throughout the day and stay hydrated, avoid going out during the hottest hours and wear sunscreen, wear lightweight, light-colored clothes, and wear a hat or use an umbrella.

“Cars get very hot,” Public Health cautioned. “Never leave children or pets in cars, and call 911 if you see a child or pet in a car alone.”

Water versus electrolyte drinks: When it comes to drinking beverages, Green said things that have 5% carbohydrates are absorbed better than water, which is what most sports drinks offer.

“In addition, cold fluids are absorbed quicker than room-temperature or warm fluids,” Green said. “The optimal thing would be cold, 5% carbohydrate drinks with some electrolytes.”

He added that people are “much better” off when drinking a little bit throughout the exercise versus trying to drink it all at once, which does not get absorbed as well.

Heatstroke in aging adults: When it comes to the senior population, Raskin suggested staying inside in a cooler place during the hot days. If they do go outside, it’s important to make sure they drink plenty of fluids—whether that’s water or an electrolyte solution, like Gatorade or Pedialyte. He also suggested wearing lighter clothing.

On a hot day, Raskin said that seniors can consider going to the movies in the cool air conditioning or, if they are looking to exercise, visit a mall to walk indoors without getting excessively hot.

Heatstroke in kids: For children, UCLA Health’s Dr. Bernard Katz shared that a sign of heat-related illness may be that they appear confused, fatigued or lethargic.

“They may complain of abdominal pain or muscle cramps,” Katz said. “They may also appear flushed. In extreme cases, they may not produce sweat when sweating would be expected.”

The child should be removed from the heat and sun, placed in a cool area where they can sit calmly, and be given cool fluids to drink—especially electrolyte solutions and sports drinks.

“When a child appears confused, disoriented or becomes unresponsive, then it is urgent to seek medical care,” Katz said. “Sometimes children suffering heatstroke need to be provided with intravenous hydration.”

Katz explained that children are often more active and less likely to sit still, which can make it harder for them to cool off and remain in the shade. They also do not always have the same thirst drive, he said, which may cause them to need to be reminded to drink fluids when exercising or exposed to hot weather.

Overheating in dogs: Because dogs do not sweat, Dr. Dana DePerno with Palisades Animal Clinic explained, they must expel heat by panting.

“The initial signs of over-heating in a dog are excessive panting and looking for/seeking shade,” DePerno said. “Some dogs may experience vomiting/diarrhea.”

She shared that it is best to avoid situations where a dog can overheat, but in the event of an emergency, it’s important to start active cooling, which can be done by providing water, an air-conditioned environment or, if outdoors, a hose to cool them down. If a pet collapses, immediate medical attention at a veterinary facility is required—where IV fluids and temperature regulation, oxygen therapy, and additional support may be administered.

Overheating in cats: Some good news for our feline friends is that, according to DePerno, it is rare for cats to overheat. This tends to happen when they are accidentally left in a car or locked into a small space that is not temperature controlled.

“Cats that are over-heating will show open-mouth breathing most commonly,” DePerno explained. “If you are at all concerned about the possibility of heatstroke with your pet, you should consult your veterinarian immediately. Time is of the essence with these cases, so it’s better to seek evaluation and treatment if you are concerned.”

Armed with this information, community members can keep all of their loved ones safe—from pets to kids to grandparents, and everyone in between.