Learn how to recognize signs of heat illnesses

Jul. 28, 2025

By Mary Wade Burnside

Like everyone else, I’ve been experiencing the thick hot air that’s been permeating lately, and hearing a lot of news about extreme heat and heat-related illness.
After one story focused on the extra risks endured by those with outdoor jobs, including construction workers and letter carriers, I put some bottles of water in our fridge and asked my husband to offer one when our mail arrived.
Our carrier really appreciated the opportunity to hydrate with some cold H2O.
According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report dated April 18, 2024, emergency department visits for heat-related illnesses “substantially increased across several U.S. regions compared with previous years” in the period from May to September 2023.
These incidents overwhelmingly affected men 18 to 64 years old who had been outside in the sun, performing physical activities.
“In recent years, health emergencies caused by heat exposure have become more frequent and widespread in the United States,” the report summarized.
During hot days, individuals who can limit their time outside should consider doing so.
Anyone who does spend time outdoors, especially those who are engaging in strenuous or lengthy activity, should take precautions to stay safe and also know signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses.
Providing water and getting them to a shady spot and helping them cool down in other ways, by removing any excess clothing, is key.
Illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, rhabdomyolysis, heat syncope and heat cramps, according to the CDC. Here’s a list of symptoms for each:
Heat stroke: Symptoms include confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech, loss of consciousness (coma), hot and dry skin or profuse sweating, seizures and a very high body temperature.
This can be fatal if treatment is delayed. Calling 911 and staying with the individual until emergency service workers arrive is vital. Wet the skin and place cold, wet cloths on the skin and circulate air around the individual to speed cooling.
Heat exhaustion is the body's response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating, according to the CDC.
Symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, heavy sweating, elevated body temperature and decreased urine output.
In this situation, the individual should still seek medical care. Call 911 if going to a medical clinic or the emergency department is difficult.
Rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) is a medical condition associated with heat stress and prolonged physical exertion. Rhabdo causes the rapid breakdown, rupture and death of muscle. When muscle tissue dies, electrolytes and large proteins are released into the bloodstream. This can cause irregular heart rhythms, seizures and damage to the kidneys.
Symptoms include muscle cramps/pain, abnormally dark (tea or cola-colored) urine, weakness and exercise intolerance, although individuals can be asymptomatic.
Individuals should stop the activity, drink water, seek medical attention and ask to be tested for Rhabdomyolysis.
Heat syncope is a fainting (syncope) episode of short duration or dizziness that usually occurs when standing for too long or suddenly standing up after sitting or lying down. Factors that may contribute to heat syncope include dehydration and lack of acclimatization.
Symptoms include fainting for a short time, dizziness and light-headedness from standing too long or suddenly rising from a sitting or lying position. Individuals should sit or lie down in a cool place and sip water, clear juice or a sports drink.
Heat cramps usually affect individuals who sweat a lot during strenuous activity. Low salt levels in muscles cause painful cramps. Symptoms include muscle cramps and pain or spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs.
Get medical help if the individual has heart problems, is on a low-sodium diet and/or has cramps that do not subside in an hour.
Of course, you also want to wear sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher. Also, for recreational activities or yard work, try to go as early in the morning or later in the afternoon or evening as possible.
For more information, go to this link: www.cdc.gov/niosh/heat-stress/about/illnesses.html.
And if you see someone who could use some water and you have some handy, feel free to offer it to them.

Mary Wade Burnside is the public information officer at Monongalia County Health Department.