Heat exhaustion and throwing up

Heat places strain on circulation and digestion while sweating removes water and salt. This can produce nausea or vomiting alongside weakness, headache, cramps, thirst, dizziness, and clammy skin. Vomiting is especially concerning because it makes replacing lost fluid harder. Heat exhaustion is a possible explanation in the setting of heat exposure, but severe or changing symptoms may signal heat stroke or another illness.

Take the person indoors or into shade, stop exertion, loosen clothing, and cool the skin with wet cloths and moving air. Let the stomach settle briefly, then try very small, frequent sips of cool water or oral rehydration fluid if the person is fully alert. Avoid forcing a large drink, alcohol, or strenuous activity. Stay with them and track whether they can keep fluids down.

Get emergency help for confusion, unusual behaviour, fainting, seizure, severe weakness, breathing difficulty, very hot skin, or inability to swallow. Arrange urgent assessment when repeated vomiting prevents fluids, urine becomes very dark or scarce, dizziness persists, or cooling does not lead to steady improvement. A person who is drowsy or unconscious should not be given anything by mouth.

Ask how to replace fluids after vomiting, whether your medicines raise dehydration risk, and what symptoms should prompt emergency care. Tell the clinician when heat exposure began, how often vomiting occurred, and what fluids were kept down.