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Can You Spot Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke?

6/29/2026

Dr. Dylan Wyatt, Aspirus Emergency Medicine Physician

As far as weather-related hazards go, extreme heat is among the most dangerous. According to the CDC, extreme heat causes more deaths each year than floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes.  

 

That’s because not everyone realizes how stressful high temperatures can be to the body. “Extreme heat forces both the heart and skin to work really hard,” said Dr. Dylan Wyatt, emergency medicine physician at Aspirus Health. “The body wants to pull heat away from the core. The hotter it gets, the harder that becomes.”  

 

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are the two main heat-related illnesses to watch for. Dr. Wyatt explains what each is and how to spot the signs early.  

 

Heat Exhaustion “Heat exhaustion is when the body is struggling to keep up with the demands of its cooling,” said Dr. Wyatt. This occurs when the body becomes overheated and dehydrated and is no longer able to effectively regulate its temperature. 

 

Common symptoms include: 

  • Heavy sweating
  • Weakness or fatigue 
  • Headache 
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness 
  • Nausea 
  • Muscle cramps 
  • Fast heartbeat 

 

It is often accompanied by a strong sense of thirst and cool, clammy skin. 

If these symptoms start to develop, it is important to move to a cooler or shaded area, rest, and drink water or electrolyte fluids to rehydrate.  

Heat Stroke Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat-related illness and is a medical emergency. “The difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke is between a red flag warning sign and an emergency siren,” said Dr. Wyatt. This happens when the body’s temperature rises to 104°F or higher, and the body can no longer cool itself down.  

 

Symptoms can include: 

  • Confusion 
  • Agitation 

  • Slurred speech 

  • Severe headache 

  • Nausea or vomiting 

  • Rapid pulse

  • Fainting or loss of consciousness 

  • Very high body temperature  

 

 Skin may feel hot, and in some cases dry, though sweating may still occur. 

 

Heat stroke can quickly lead to organ failure, brain damage, or death if not treated promptly. Call 911 immediately while trying to cool the person until help arrives. 

 

How to Protect Yourself In addition to recognizing and responding to the symptoms of heat-related illnesses, there are important steps you can take to prevent them. 

 

Staying hydrated should be the top of your priorities. “You need to be drinking eight ounces of water for about every 15 minutes of activity in the heat,” said Dr. Wyatt. “If you start to feel thirsty, you are already behind.” He added that a reliable indicator of hydration is urine color. If it is lighter than lemonade, such as clear or pale yellow, you are well hydrated. 

 

It is also important to avoid physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day. “Try to schedule work or intensive training exercises earlier in the morning when temperatures are cooler,” Dr. Wyatt suggested. 

 

If you have questions about how to stay safe in hot weather, talk to your primary care provider. To find a compassionate, expert Aspirus provider near you, visit aspirus.org to use the Find a Doctor tool.  

 

 

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