What to Do When Overcome by Heat: Check Consciousness Before Giving Water and Know When to Call 119

If you experience a headache, dizziness, nausea, or severe fatigue that feels like heat-related illness, first stop what you are doing and move to an air-conditioned indoor space or a shaded area to cool your body. If your consciousness is impaired or your responses are abnormal, do not give or drink water, and immediately call 119.

The commonly used expression 'overcome by heat' is not a precise medical diagnosis. It can refer to several heat-related illnesses, ranging from heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat syncope to potentially life-threatening heatstroke. This is why checking a person's level of consciousness and whether they are recovering is more important than judging the severity of their symptoms alone.

If You Feel Dizzy and Weak, Move to a Cool Place First

Heat exhaustion can cause heavy sweating, extreme fatigue, weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and muscle cramps. The skin may also become cool, clammy, or pale.

If these symptoms develop, immediately stop exercising or working. Move to an air-conditioned indoor space or a well-ventilated shaded area, and loosen any tight clothing. Wiping the skin with a cool, damp towel or wetting the skin and using a fan to circulate air can also help lower body temperature. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Health Information

If ice packs are available, they can also be placed around the neck, armpits, and groin. Rather than simply sitting down and drinking water, it is essential to get out of the hot environment and take steps to cool the body at the same time.

Drink Water or Electrolyte Beverages Only When Fully Alert

If a person can respond normally during conversation and has no difficulty swallowing, they can slowly drink cool water to replenish fluids. After heavy sweating, beverages such as sports drinks that replace both fluids and electrolytes may also be an option.

However, if someone is more than simply sleepy and is difficult to wake, gives inappropriate answers to questions, or loses consciousness, do not force them to drink anything. Giving water to someone with impaired swallowing ability can cause it to enter the airway. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Health Information

People who normally have to restrict their fluid intake because of kidney disease or other conditions should not automatically follow general advice to drink plenty of water. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency advises these individuals to follow the fluid intake guidelines established in consultation with their healthcare providers.

If Consciousness Is Impaired, Call 119 Without Waiting to Measure Body Temperature

Heatstroke is a major form of severe heat-related illness. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, it can involve a high fever exceeding 40°C along with central nervous system abnormalities such as loss of consciousness. The agency classifies it as a potentially life-threatening emergency if prompt action is not taken.

In particular, if someone becomes confused, cannot speak properly, loses consciousness, or experiences seizures, this is no longer a situation in which they should stay home, drink water, and wait. Call 119 while simultaneously moving the person to a cool location, loosening their clothing, and continuously cooling their body.

There is no need to delay calling emergency services simply because a thermometer is unavailable. Changes in consciousness, as well as elevated body temperature, are extremely important warning signs when assessing danger.

Another commonly misunderstood sign is sweating. Do not assume that someone cannot have heatstroke simply because they are sweating. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's heat-related illness manual explains that although the skin may be hot and dry during heatstroke, sweating can also occur. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

Seek Medical Attention if Heat Exhaustion Does Not Improve

Heat exhaustion sometimes improves with rest in a cool environment and fluid replacement. However, medical attention is necessary if symptoms persist or the person does not recover. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

In particular, repeated vomiting that makes drinking water difficult, progressively worsening symptoms, or exhaustion so severe that walking without assistance becomes difficult should not be dismissed as simply feeling a little overheated. Heat-related illnesses can worsen rapidly, so someone should remain nearby and continuously monitor the person's condition for changes.

Even in cases of heat syncope involving a brief loss of consciousness, it is better to have the person lie on a flat surface in a cool place with their legs elevated above their head rather than simply leaving them seated. Allow them to drink water slowly only when they can communicate normally. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

What to Do Before Thinking About Food for Heat-Related Illness

Many people first look for foods that are supposedly good for recovering from heat exposure, such as watermelon, fruit, or nourishing meals. However, immediately after symptoms appear, the priorities are getting out of the hot environment, cooling the body, checking consciousness, and replenishing fluids when it is safe to do so, rather than eating any particular food. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's emergency guidance for heat-related illnesses emphasizes these steps in this order. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Health Information

Even immediately after recovering, it is best not to resume exercise or outdoor work right away. Developing symptoms of heat-related illness indicates that the body was already struggling to cope with the heat and level of physical activity. Adequate rest is therefore important, along with monitoring for any recurrence of symptoms.

Prevention is also straightforward. Drinking water regularly, wearing loose-fitting and lightweight clothing, and reducing outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day are the basics. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency particularly advises avoiding outdoor work and exercise during the hottest hours, from 12 in the daytime to 5 in the afternoon. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Health Information

There is one essential rule to remember when someone becomes unwell because of the heat. If the person is fully alert, move them to a cool place, cool their body, and replenish fluids. If their consciousness becomes impaired or their responses are abnormal, do not give them anything to drink and immediately call 119.

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