{"id":79644,"date":"2025-08-07T13:12:39","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T17:12:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teamhealth.com\/?p=79644"},"modified":"2026-03-03T13:13:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T18:13:48","slug":"on-the-front-lines-of-a-hotter-summer-the-signs-of-heat-stroke-and-how-to-prevent-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teamhealth.com\/featured-article\/on-the-front-lines-of-a-hotter-summer-the-signs-of-heat-stroke-and-how-to-prevent-it\/","title":{"rendered":"On the Front Lines of a Hotter Summer: The Signs of Heat Stroke and How to Prevent It"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]As emergency physicians, we don\u2019t just treat the effects of\u00a0extreme heat-related illnesses<\/a>\u2014 we see their impact on our communities every day. With record-breaking temperatures sweeping much of the country, heat-related illness has become a growing public health concern. That\u2019s why we\u2019re taking it seriously \u2014our goal is simple: protect lives by helping people understand just how dangerous heat can be.<\/p>\n

According to the\u00a0CDC<\/a>, more than 2,000 people in the U.S. die from extreme heat each year, and tens of thousands more suffer heat-related illness severe enough to require emergency care.<\/p>\n

This summer\u2019s extreme heat has sent more than just temperatures soaring \u2014 it\u2019s brought a steady rise in heat-related illnesses into emergency departments across the country. As an emergency physician, I know how quickly heat stroke can turn life-threatening, even in people who were just outside for a short time.<\/p>\n

Most patients don\u2019t realize they\u2019re in danger until it\u2019s too late. They may come in confused, dizzy, or light-headed. Others arrive unconscious. One of the defining signs of heat stroke is a high body temperature \u2014 often over 104\u00b0F \u2014 paired with altered mental status. Unlike heat exhaustion, these patients often stop sweating, which is a major red flag. In many cases, they were simply trying to get yard work done, walk to the store, or enjoy a summer outing.<\/p>\n

When spending time outdoors, watch for the following. Signs of heat-related illness include:<\/p>\n