What should you know about lingering symptoms of heat exhaustion?

Heat exhaustion follows loss of water and salts through sweating. Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, excessive thirst, and dark urine may continue if fluids and rest have not restored your body. Heat intolerance can make a person feel unwell again in a warm environment. Ongoing symptoms can also have another explanation, so do not assume every problem after heat exposure is harmless. Confusion, collapse, seizures, or very hot skin raise concern for heatstroke, which is an emergency.

Move to a cool place, loosen extra clothing, and rest. Sip water or an oral rehydration drink if you are awake and able to swallow; avoid alcohol. A cool shower, damp cloths, or fans may help lower discomfort. Return to activity gradually only after symptoms have cleared, and take regular breaks in shade or air conditioning. Keep monitoring urination, thirst, alertness, and ability to keep fluids down. People with heart, kidney, or other medical conditions should seek personalised advice about rehydration.

Get urgent medical help for confusion, fainting, seizure, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, inability to drink, breathing difficulty, or a worsening headache. Emergency assessment is also needed if the person becomes unusually hot or does not improve after cooling and drinking. Arrange prompt clinical advice when dizziness, dark urine, excessive thirst, or weakness persists or returns, especially after further heat exposure. Do not leave someone with altered alertness alone or give drinks while they cannot swallow safely.

Could dehydration or another condition explain my continuing symptoms? When can I return to exercise or outdoor work? Do my medicines affect heat tolerance or fluid balance? How should I rehydrate given my medical history?