What type of heat-related illness occurs when the body's temperature regulation fails without sweating?

Heat stroke is a severe heat-related illness that occurs when the body’s temperature regulation system fails, leading to a dangerously high body temperature, typically exceeding 104°F (40°C). Unlike heat exhaustion, where the body may still sweat and show signs of distress, heat stroke often involves a cessation of sweating, indicating that the body is unable to cool itself. This can lead to serious complications, including organ damage or death if not treated promptly.

The signs of heat stroke often include confusion, altered mental state, rapid pulse, and hot and dry skin. Recognizing heat stroke is crucial because it is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention, such as moving the person to a cooler environment and seeking medical assistance.

In understanding heat-related illnesses, it’s essential to differentiate between them. While heat exhaustion involves fatigue, weakness, and sweating, heat cramps present themselves as painful muscle contractions due to electrolyte loss but do not indicate a failure of temperature regulation. Hypothermia, on the other hand, refers to a dangerously low body temperature and is not related to heat illnesses.