What’s Going Around: Heat exhaustion vs. heat stroke

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) — With the DMV blanketed by a scorching summer, healthcare providers said it’s important for parents and caregivers to keep a close eye on their little ones, because extreme heat affects children differently than adults

Dr. Yolandra Hancock, a pediatrician at Generational Health Center in Upper Marlboro, said children cannot release heat the same way grown-ups do. 

“It takes longer for children to sweat, which is our body’s way of cooling off,” she said. “Children’s bodies are composed of more water than adults, so in order for them to bring temperatures down, it takes a lot more energy.”

Hancock said to be cognizant of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. She said there are different stages.

The first stage is what is called heat cramp. That’s when you’re out in heat or humidity and your body starts to cramp up and your muscle starts to get tired.

“Little ones might not be able to recognize it as a cramp. They may say their arms or legs hurt, so if that’s the case and you know they are in the heat, it is likely they are moving towards what we call heat exhaustion,” she said. 

Heat exhaustion is when the temperature of the body continues to rise and your body isn’t able to bring it down on its own.

“Little ones and adults may start to get confused. They may get dizzy. They may get lightheaded. They actually may get chills, which is odd, especially in the face of heat. But if someone is complaining of chills or is having shivers while they are outdoors, that is a very significant sign that they are experiencing heat exhaustion and risk of what we call heat stroke,” Hancock said.

She said heat stroke develops when someone reaches an internal body temperature of 104 degrees or higher. That is when there is likely to be increased dizziness. A person may even pass out.

“What we really have to worry about is in organ damage as the body continues to heat up. Various organ systems begin to shut down, and that’s why the body ends up by protecting itself by passing out. Heart rate will sometimes come down. You will actually no longer see them sweating because the body has shifted into a very protective mode in trying to bring that temperature down and that’s truly an emergency,” she said 

Hancock has tips to prevent children from going into heat exhaustion and heat stroke. She said the first is to monitor how much water your child is drinking.

“If we wait until a child is thirsty, that is already a sign of mild dehydration,” she said.

Hancock added that thirst is a sign of mild dehydration and not just a signal that they need to drink. She said it’s important to capture them well before that happens.

“So not only paying attention to how much they are drinking but making sure they are getting over half of their body weight in water in terms of ounces,” she said. 

For example, if you have a 40-pound child, at minimum, they need 20 ounces. And if they go outside or if they’re physically active outdoors, make sure they are getting above that amount.

“We prefer water. A lot of times, families feel like they need to give them electrolyte beverages.  That’s not necessary unless they are physically active playing sports like soccer or football and they are losing salt as they are outdoors,” she said.