Dehydration and heat exhaustion share what signs or symptom?

Answer 1

I am not a doctor, but I can safely answer this question as I have been, on more than a few occasions, either struck myself or have taken care of someone who has been struck with dehydration and/or heat exhaustion. Unfortunately for me here in Hawaii, they both go together.

The first symptoms are clear. Headache and fatigue are your first symptoms. When you are experiencing dehydration, you are often times far past the time when you were thirsty. This confuses many people. The next phase is when the headache becomes sever, vision is blurred, and you may collapse. In this situation it is best to get the person fluids as best as possible. Don't force them to drink a lot, since the body is in a bit of a shock. Just drink as much as possible. Now that person must rest out of the sun, with continual fluids.

The later effects, especially without fluids but often times even with, are flu like symptoms. These are fatigue, nausea, shakes, feeling cold and headache. This can last even for 1 to 2 days after the period of dehydration and exhaustion. The best thing to do is take it easy and continue to drink water and fluids with electrolytes like Gatorade.