What is Heat-related Illness?
You can use this information to familiarise yourself with the symptoms of heat-related illness, including heat stress, heat stroke, dehydration and hyponatremia.
Your guide is certified in First-Aid, and is especially trained to manage Heat-related Illness in the extreme temperatures of Central Australia.
Please follow your Guide’s instructions on recommended water consumption, and make sure you have water bottles to carry 2 Litres of water with you on the hikes.
What are the Symptoms of Heat-related Illness?
Symptoms of Heat Stress and Heat Stroke
Heat stress occurs when the body can’t cool itself fast enough to maintain a healthy temperature. Heat stroke is an extreme form of heat stress and can be life-threatening.
- thirst, dry mouth, dry lips
- cold or clammy sweating
- painful muscle spasms
- headache
- irritability
- confusion
- dizziness
- nausea
- high body temperature (over 38.5°C)
- altered mental state
- confusion, disorientation or rapid development of unconsciousness
- dry skin
- dry, swollen tongue
- rapid, strong pulse at first, becoming weaker
- fits, seizures or coma
Symptoms of Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia is caused by an imbalance of sodium electrolytes in the body, which leads to an inability to regulate water.
- headache
- nausea or vomiting
- lethargy or irritability
- absent or reduced reflexes
- confusion
- seizures
Symptoms of Dehydration
- feeling thirsty
- dark yellow and strong-smelling pee
- feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- feeling tired
- a dry mouth, lips and eyes
- peeing little, and fewer than 4 times a day