Why does heatstroke cause dizziness and weakness?
Mar 25, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the causes of dizziness and weakness due to heatstroke may include impaired body temperature regulation, excessive energy consumption, hypoglycemia, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Symptomatic treatment is required through general care, medication, and other methods. It is important to take preventive measures in daily life to avoid heatstroke, such as avoiding prolonged exposure to high-temperature environments, maintaining a regular作息 schedule, and following healthy dietary habits.
Generally, the causes of dizziness and weakness due to heatstroke may include thermoregulatory imbalance, excessive energy consumption, hypoglycemia, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Symptomatic management through general treatment and medication is recommended. If symptoms are severe, prompt medical attention is advised, following the doctor's instructions for treatment. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Thermoregulatory Imbalance
Thermoregulatory imbalance leads to impaired heat dissipation, causing continuous elevation of body temperature, which affects the normal function of the nervous system, resulting in symptoms such as dizziness and weakness. It is recommended to immediately move to a cool, well-ventilated environment and replenish fluids and electrolytes to restore fluid and electrolyte balance in the body.
2. Excessive Energy Consumption
In high-temperature environments, the body consumes large amounts of energy to maintain normal physiological functions. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to excessive energy consumption, potentially causing insufficient energy supply, resulting in symptoms such as dizziness and weakness. It is recommended to maintain a regular作息 schedule and avoid overexertion.
3. Hypoglycemia
During heatstroke, the body uses significant energy for heat dissipation. Failure to replenish food timely may lead to a drop in blood glucose levels, causing dizziness and weakness, possibly accompanied by sweating, tremors, and hunger. It is recommended to use medications such as glucose and sodium chloride injection, hydrocortisone tablets, and mannitol injection under medical guidance to alleviate symptoms.
4. Heat Exhaustion
During heatstroke, prolonged exposure to high temperatures overloads the body's thermoregulatory system, leading to heat exhaustion. Excessive sweating at this stage results in fluid loss, affecting neuromuscular conduction, causing symptoms such as dizziness and weakness, possibly accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and cold, clammy skin. Immediate relocation to a cooler area is advised, along with the use of medications such as honeysuckle dew, Shidi Shui (ten-drop water), and Huoxiang Zhengqi capsules under medical guidance.
5. Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is a more severe form of heatstroke where the central nervous system is affected, causing a rapid rise in body temperature exceeding 40°C, leading to impaired consciousness and muscle spasms, resulting in dizziness and weakness, possibly accompanied by coma, convulsions, dry, and anhidrotic skin. Emergency cooling measures such as ice packs or cold water baths should be implemented to lower body temperature. Additionally, medications like bumetanide for injection, furosemide injection, and ethacrynic acid sodium for injection should be used under medical guidance while maintaining airway patency, with artificial respiration performed if necessary.
It is important to take preventive measures against heatstroke daily, avoiding prolonged exposure to high-temperature environments and maintaining regular作息 schedules and healthy dietary habits.
References
[1] Wang Tao, Zhao Yue, Wang Meng, et al. Expert Consensus on Pre-hospital Emergency Treatment of Heat Stroke (2024 Edition) [J/OL]. Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army, 1-12 [2025-03-13].
[1] When High Temperatures Strike: Prevent Heatstroke, Keep Cool, and Pay Attention to Health [J]. China Total Accounting, 2023(06):190.
