By Elizabeth Comeau, Boston.com Staff
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What is the difference between heat stroke and heat exhaustion, and what should you do if you think someone is suffering from these heat-related illnesses?
Recognizing the symptoms of heat stroke and heat exhaustion is important on days such as this when temperatures are expected to near 100 degrees in some areas.
Heat stroke occurs when the body becomes "unable to control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down," according to the CDC.
The CDC outlines the warning signs of heat stroke as:
Heat exhaustion, on the other hand, can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate replacement of fluids.
Signs of heat exhaustion include:
If you see signs of either heat stroke or heat exhaustion, it is best to get the person to a shady area, cool the person rapidly, monitor their body temperature, and get the person help from a doctor as soon as possible. Wearing lightweight clothing, staying hydrated, and staying indoors on extremely hot days will help prevent heat-related illnesses.
