How long sun stroke lasts

Recovery depends on how high the body temperature became, how long overheating continued, fluid loss, age, existing illness, and how quickly cooling began. Headache, thirst, weakness, dizziness, and nausea can improve after rest, but feeling better does not prove that the body has fully recovered. Confusion, fainting, seizure, or continuing hot skin are warning signs of heat stroke and should not be watched at home.

Rest in a cool environment, replace fluids gradually, and return to normal activity only when you feel well and can eat and drink normally. Keep away from intense heat and exercise during recovery. Have someone check on you if symptoms were significant. Do not use the end of a symptom as permission to resume strenuous work immediately, especially if you have heart disease, diabetes, or take medicines affecting blood pressure or fluid balance.

Seek emergency care immediately for confusion, collapse, seizure, breathing difficulty, inability to swallow, or worsening symptoms. Arrange medical assessment when dizziness, vomiting, headache, marked weakness, or reduced urination continues despite cooling and drinking safely. A GP Consultation is useful after a serious episode or repeated episodes. New one-sided weakness or speech difficulty needs urgent assessment for Stroke, regardless of the expected recovery time.

Ask when you can safely return to exercise or outdoor work, whether any medicine needs review, and how to recognise a recurrence before it becomes severe.