The public has been reminded of the warning signs as intense heat continues
The NHS is urging Brits to recognise exactly when the situation goes from being uncomfortably warm to requiring emergency medical help. This comes as the UK experiences more severe heat, with temperatures approaching 40°C across parts of England.
The Met Office has issued another yellow weather warning for thunderstorms as the country continues to endure soaring temperatures. The extreme heat increases the risk of overexposure to the elements and resulting health complications, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, reports the Express.
In an Instagram post, 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.”
What are the differences between heat exhaustion and heatstroke?
Heat exhaustion symptoms are typically identical in adults and children. Anyone displaying signs of heat exhaustion requires cooling down and fluid intake.
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 classified as a medical emergency. According to the NHS website, anyone experiencing this must “get immediate medical help”.
Heatstroke symptoms are considerably more serious than heat exhaustion, and may 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.
