Heatstroke and other heat-related disorders are distinguished by specific symptoms such as confusion, a high body temperature, an accelerated pulse, and diarrhea.
Heatstroke is a form of heat-induced disease. Unlike heat exhaustion or heat cramps, it is always considered a medical emergency. If you suspect you or someone you're with is suffering from heatstroke, seek emergency medical services right away to avoid organ damage or death.
Without treatment, heatstroke can cause serious and perhaps deadly consequences owing to organ damage. For these reasons, it's critical to recognise the early signs and symptoms of heatstroke, as well as how diarrhea may contribute.
Does heatstroke give you diarrhea?
Diarrhea is defined as loose or watery faeces. Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of conditions, including diseases and infections.
However, diarrhea related to heatstroke is assumed to be owing to functional and structural damage caused by the high temperatures inside the body when suffering from heatstroke.
Conversely, diarrhea exacerbates dehydration. This is because, as with excessive urine, your body is losing more fluids than it can absorb.
A 2023 analysis of classic heatstroke symptoms in 2,632 people discovered that diarrhea was one of the most common symptoms identified at the start of heatstroke development. The researchers discovered that approximately 5% of the participants in the study experienced diarrhea.
Although diarrhea is not considered a key symptom of heat-related illnesses, having it in conjunction with other troubling symptoms might help you determine whether to seek medical attention for a potential heat emergency.
What are the other symptoms of heatstroke?
Heatstroke can cause diarrhea due to elevated internal temperatures.
Although diarrhea is a possible symptom of heatstroke, more common and significant symptoms of this disease include:
- high fever
- increased pulse
- nausea
- headache
- dizziness
- skin that’s hot to the touch
- flushed or pale skin
- dry or damp skin
- confusion
- loss of consciousness
If heat exhaustion is not treated within 30 minutes, it might progress to heatstroke.
When to get medical help
If you develop diarrhea and other common signs of heatstroke, get emergency medical attention straight once.
Acute diarrhea that is not caused by a heat-related illness is usually managed at home. However, if diarrhea lasts more than two days in adults or 24 hours in children and the elderly, you should seek medical attention. You should also consult a doctor if you notice blood or mucous in your stool.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY
Heatstroke constitutes a medical emergency. If you or someone you're with develops the following symptoms, you should contact emergency medical services or go to the local emergency room.
- body temperature of 103°F (39°C) or higher
- fast pulse
- dizziness or confusion
- seizures
- loss of consciousness
- rapid breathing
- breathing difficulties
- lack of coordination
If you're waiting for an ambulance, attempt to get yourself or the other person to a cool, shaded location. Applying a cool compress or wet cloth can assist in lowering body temperature, but avoid drinking water unless instructed by medical personnel.
Treatment for heatstroke
Emergency medical staff will strive to lower your body temperature and protect your organs. Ice baths, ice packs, and intravenous (IV) fluids can all help with rehydration.
In addition, your care team will monitor your vital signs and address any issues that emerge with your internal organs, such as your liver or kidney.
How long does it take to recover from heatstroke or heat exhaustion?
Overall, recovering from heatstroke or heat exhaustion might take days or weeks. Following heatstroke therapy, your doctor will most likely want to visit you for a follow-up. Neurological issues are probable in the long run.
While you're healing, your doctor may urge you to minimise any activities that elevate your body temperature, such as exercising or going outside.
Heat-induced diarrhea treatment
The treatment for heat-induced diarrhea will be rehydration therapy. At the hospital, your care team may administer intravenous fluids to treat both the diarrhea and the heatstroke that caused it.
Although it's important to drink enough water to avoid overheating and eventual dehydration, diarrhea may indicate that you need electrolyte-rich fluids. These include sports drinks, commercial electrolyte solutions, and fruit juices.
How to prevent heatstroke
To avoid heatstroke, stay cool, especially when outdoors or exercising. Try:
- Avoid spending time outside during high solar hours.
- Wearing light colours and textiles when outside.
- Avoiding high-intensity exercises during hot weather.
- Keep your place cool by closing your curtains and running fans.
Preventing heatstroke also helps to reduce diarrhoea associated with this disease. Staying hydrated is critical to avoiding heatstroke and diarrhea.
You may assist prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of cool water when you're outside or working out, as well as avoiding too much alcohol or caffeine.
Takeaway
Heatstroke constitutes a medical emergency. Although neurological symptoms such as confusion are common with this heat-related sickness, diarrhea may also occur.
The elevated body temperature experienced during heatstroke can induce structural and functional damage to the digestive tract, resulting in diarrhea. This, in turn, can result in dehydration and other issues.
Not everyone who gets diarrhea has a heat-related illness, and heatstroke does not always induce diarrhea. As a result, it's critical to be aware of other common signs of heat stroke, such as elevated body temperature, skin changes, and confusion.
If you suspect you or someone else has heatstroke, contact emergency medical assistance immediately.
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