What is the difference of Heat Exhaustion and Stroke?
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke: A Scary Reminder From the Tennis Court
This weekend on the tennis court, I experienced something that honestly shook me.
During play, I began feeling dizzy, weak, mentally foggy, and completely drained. At first, I tried to push through it like many athletes do. We convince ourselves we’re just tired, dehydrated, or need a quick break. But this felt different.
When I finally got off the court, one of my teammates was also struggling badly — except she was vomiting and clearly in distress.
In that moment, it became very real how serious heat illness can become.
Most people don’t realize there are important differences between heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and knowing those differences could literally save someone’s life.
What Is Heat Exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion happens when the body overheats and loses too much water and salt through sweating. It is the body’s warning system saying:
“Slow down. Cool off. Rehydrate.”
Common symptoms include:
• Heavy sweating
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fatigue and weakness
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache
• Rapid heartbeat
• Feeling faint or mentally foggy
This is often the stage where athletes think they can “push through,” but ignoring these symptoms can become dangerous quickly.
What Is Heat Stroke?
Heat stroke is a medical emergency.
This occurs when the body can no longer regulate its temperature and begins shutting down. The brain and organs can be affected rapidly.
Signs of heat stroke include:
• Confusion or disorientation
• Loss of coordination
• Vomiting
• Extremely high body temperature
• Hot skin
• Loss of consciousness
• Inability to sweat
• Rapid pulse
If someone is showing these symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Athletes Often Ignore the Early Signs
On the tennis court, we are trained to compete, endure, and stay mentally tough. But sometimes toughness means recognizing when your body is in danger.
Heat illness can affect anyone:
• Tennis players
• Pickleball players
• Runners
• Kids in sports
• Outdoor workers
• Weekend warriors
And the scary part is how quickly it can escalate.
What I Learned
This experience reminded me how important it is to:
• Hydrate before activity
• Replace electrolytes, not just water
• Take cooling breaks
• Wear breathable clothing
• Stop immediately when dizziness or confusion begins
• Never ignore vomiting or mental fog
Your body whispers before it screams.
I’m grateful my teammate and I are okay, but I wanted to share this because summer is approaching and many people underestimate how dangerous extreme heat can be.
Please listen to your body. Rest is not weakness. Recovery matters. And of course, I saw my Network Spinal practioner the next day for more recovery.
Stay safe out there.
— Dr. Elizabeth Sordyl
Just Breathe Chiropractic
Elizabeth M. Sordyl D.C.
m: 417 East Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448
t: 707-431-1419
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