Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Heat Stroke or Heat Exhaustion? AIIMS Doctor Explains Key Symptoms, How To Prevent

Even as heatwave conditions continue to intensify across parts of the country, cases of heat-related illnesses are on the rise, leaving many confused between heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

While both are caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures, their severity, warning signs, and management can differ significantly.

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Naval Vikram, Professor, Department of Medicine, at the AII India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), explained the key symptoms to watch out for, how to tell the difference between the two conditions, and the simple yet crucial steps individuals can take to protect themselves during extreme heat.

“The general features of a patient with heat stroke are: first, his or her body temperature will be very high. It will not be around normal levels like 104, 105, or 106—it will be significantly elevated. Second, the person may be delirious, confused, or even in a state of unconsciousness or coma. The breathing will also be labored. These are the features of heat stroke,” Dr Vikram said.

On the other hand, a person with heat exhaustion remains conscious, but looks and feels very tired. The individual is also likely to experience 

<ul><li>body ache, </li><li>muscle pain, </li><li>headache, </li><li>muscle cramp, </li><li>body pain or fatigue. </li></ul>

"If this has happened after exposure to heat, it is similar to the feeling one gets after jogging, running, or playing for about half an hour and then feeling exhausted. If that same feeling occurs without doing any such activity, then it is a stage of heat exhaustion, because it is happening due to the heat,” Dr Vikram told HealthandMe.

<h2>Who Is More At Risk With Heat-related Problems?</h2>

The most vulnerable category for heat-related problems is the extremes of age—the younger children and older adults. 

The expert noted that younger children may not be able to express their symptoms completely. They may not be able to tell you exactly what they are feeling. 

At the other end, older adults often have multiple health issues—neurological conditions, diabetes, hypertension, and kidney problems. 

"So multiple organs may already be affected to some extent. In such situations, if heat-related illness occurs, it becomes difficult to diagnose, especially if they already have neurological problems like confusion or altered behavior," Dr Vikram said.

With existing comorbidities, other organs may already be compromised, so the tipping point towards severity happens very quickly. In contrast, younger individuals generally have greater body reserves. 

Therefore, people at the extremes of age are more vulnerable, also because it can sometimes be difficult to recognize and diagnose the condition in them. 

While it may be impossible to avoid rising temperatures, the focus should be on how much you can protect yourself. The expert suggested measures such as: 

<ul><li>Try to avoid exposure to extreme heat as much as possible. </li></ul>

<ul><li>In case of being exposed, make sure to cover yourself—cover your head and upper body, use an umbrella, stay hydrated, and take breaks in between. </li></ul>

<ul><li>If you have to work in a hot environment for a couple of hours, take a break in a cooler or temperature-controlled environment for at least half an hour before resuming, rather than continuously working in the heat. These steps can help prevent heat-related problems. </li></ul>

<ul><li>If symptoms do occur, and it is heat exhaustion, take rest and avoid further activity for some time. </li></ul>

<ul><li>In more severe cases—if someone shows symptoms like loss of consciousness or very high body temperature—they should be taken to a hospital immediately. Do not try to manage such cases at home.”</li></ul>

Health Conditions A-Z

health

Heat Stroke

Heat Exhaustion

heatwave

heat related illnesses

naval vikram

headache

AIIMS doctor

aii india institute of medical sciences

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Even as heatwave conditions continue to intensify across parts of the country, cases of heat-related illnesses are on the rise, leaving many confused between heat stroke and heat exhaustion. While both are caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures, their severity, warning signs, and management can differ significantly.Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Naval Vikram, Professor, Department of Medicine, at the AII India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), explained the key symptoms to watch out for, how to tell the difference between the two conditions, and the simple yet crucial steps individuals can take to protect themselves during extreme heat. “The general features of a patient with heat stroke are: first, his or her body temperature will be very high. It will not be around normal levels like 104, 105, or 106—it will be significantly elevated. Second, the person may be delirious, confused, or even in a state of unconsciousness or coma. The breathing will also be labored. These are the features of heat stroke,” Dr Vikram said.On the other hand, a person with heat exhaustion remains conscious, but looks and feels very tired. The individual is also likely to experience body ache, muscle pain, headache, muscle cramp, body pain or fatigue. "If this has happened after exposure to heat, it is similar to the feeling one gets after jogging, running, or playing for about half an hour and then feeling exhausted. If that same feeling occurs without doing any such activity, then it is a stage of heat exhaustion, because it is happening due to the heat,” Dr Vikram told HealthandMe.Who Is More At Risk With Heat-related Problems?The most vulnerable category for heat-related problems is the extremes of age—the younger children and older adults. The expert noted that younger children may not be able to express their symptoms completely. They may not be able to tell you exactly what they are feeling. At the other end, older adults often have multiple health issues—neurological conditions, diabetes, hypertension, and kidney problems. "So multiple organs may already be affected to some extent. In such situations, if heat-related illness occurs, it becomes difficult to diagnose, especially if they already have neurological problems like confusion or altered behavior," Dr Vikram said. With existing comorbidities, other organs may already be compromised, so the tipping point towards severity happens very quickly. In contrast, younger individuals generally have greater body reserves. Therefore, people at the extremes of age are more vulnerable, also because it can sometimes be difficult to recognize and diagnose the condition in them. How Can One Prevent?While it may be impossible to avoid rising temperatures, the focus should be on how much you can protect yourself. The expert suggested measures such as: Try to avoid exposure to extreme heat as much as possible. In case of being exposed, make sure to cover yourself—cover your head and upper body, use an umbrella, stay hydrated, and take breaks in between. If you have to work in a hot environment for a couple of hours, take a break in a cooler or temperature-controlled environment for at least half an hour before resuming, rather than continuously working in the heat. These steps can help prevent heat-related problems. If symptoms do occur, and it is heat exhaustion, take rest and avoid further activity for some time. In more severe cases—if someone shows symptoms like loss of consciousness or very high body temperature—they should be taken to a hospital immediately. Do not try to manage such cases at home.”