When the weather is warm and the hot summer sun is out, it is important to be aware of the risks that high temperatures pose to your health. Heat stroke is a severe condition that occurs when your body is exposed to high temperatures without proper hydration. It begins as a case of dehydration, but without proper care can continue to worsen into heat stroke. Heat stroke typically requires emergency medical care, which is why it’s vital that you understand how to properly prepare your body for exposure to high temperatures.
At AFC Urgent Care Franklin, our walk-in urgent care clinic is available all summer long to treat cases of dehydration and other summer ailments. We treat patients of all ages, and never require you to schedule an appointment in advance. Just walk into the clinic when it’s convenient, or save your spot online in advance below.
Understanding Heat Stroke vs Heat Exhaustion
Heat stroke is a serious condition that occurs when your body overheats and begins failing. It occurs when you exert yourself too much in high temperatures without properly rehydrating and refueling. Heat exhaustion occurs when your body cannot effectively cool itself down due to severe dehydration. However, heat stroke is a more severe heat-related illness. Both conditions can lead to confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea and loss of consciousness, and without quick intervention, heat stroke can quickly turn into heat exhaustion, which requires emergency care in the ER to prevent serious complications and organ damage.
Treatment for Heat Stroke
If you’re experiencing symptoms of heat stroke, it is vital that you take immediate action. Heat stroke begins as mild dehydration at first, and will continue to worsen over time if not properly addressed. If you are experiencing symptoms of dehydration like headaches, feeling light headed, dry mouth, or dark urine, you need to hydrate. Drinking water or electrolyte drinks can help your body replenish any lost liquids and reverse dehydration symptoms. In severe cases where dehydration symptoms are left untreated, heat stroke can occur and requires emergency medical treatment to bring down your body temperature and rehydrate your body.
Tips for Preventing Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is completely preventable with a few simple tips. The primary cause of heat stroke is severe dehydration that inhibits your body's ability to cool itself down. Staying hydrated before, during and after spending time in the sun is essential to prevent cases of heat-related illness. If you do plan on sweating a lot, be sure to drink electrolytes to replace the salt content in your body. If the temperatures are high, consider staying indoors until the sun goes down to avoid being outside during the hottest hours of the day.
Visit AFC Franklin for All of Your Summer Urgent Care Needs
Summertime can introduce many different ailments. It is important to be proactive about preventing heat-related conditions during the hottest months of the year. If you’re in need of rapid medical care this summer for a minor condition, AFC Urgent Care Franklin can help. Our team of board-certified medical providers are available 7 days a week to provide rapid same-day care on a walk-in basis.
At AFC Franklin, we never require patients to schedule an appointment in advance. Just walk in when it’s convenient. We’re open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm. Our clinic is equipped to provide quality care for a variety of common ailments, and we treat patients of all ages. Our clinic has affordable rates, and accepts most medical insurance plans. To learn more, walk into the clinic today, or give us a call at (508) 446-9400 to learn more.
