Specific symptoms distinguish heatstroke from other heat-related illnesses, including confusion, a high body temperature, an increased pulse, and diarrhea.

Heatstroke is a type of heat-related illness. Unlike heat exhaustion or heat cramps, it’s always a medical emergency. It’s important to call the emergency medical services if you think you or someone you’re with is experiencing heatstroke to prevent organ damage or death.

Without treatment, heatstroke can lead to serious, and potentially fatal, complications due to organ damage. For these reasons, it’s crucial to understand the early signs and symptoms of heatstroke, as well as how diarrhea might be a factor.

Diarrhea consists of loose or watery stools. There are many causes of diarrhea, including illnesses and infections.

It’s thought that diarrhea associated with heatstroke, however, could be due to the functional and structural damage caused by the high temperatures inside the body when you’re experiencing heatstroke.

On the flip side, having diarrhea also worsens dehydration. This is because, like with excessive urination, your body is losing more fluids than it’s able to take in.

One 2023 review of classic heatstroke symptoms in 2,632 people found that diarrhea was among some of the common symptoms noted at the beginning of heatstroke development. The researchers found that about 5% of people in the study had diarrhea.

Although doctors don’t consider it a primary symptom of heat-related illnesses, having diarrhea along with other concerning symptoms can help you determine when to seek care for a potential heat emergency.

It’s possible to experience diarrhea in heatstroke as a result of high temperatures within the body.

Although diarrhea is a possible symptom of heatstroke, more common and notable symptoms of this condition include:

  • high fever
  • increased pulse
  • skin that’s hot to the touch
  • flushed or pale skin
  • dry or damp skin
  • nausea
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • confusion
  • loss of consciousness

It’s also possible for heat exhaustion to turn into heatstroke if you aren’t able to cool down within 30 minutes.

If you have diarrhea along with other common symptoms of heatstroke, seek emergency medical help right away.

Acute diarrhea that’s not associated with a heat-related illness is generally treatable at home. But you should contact a doctor if diarrhea lasts longer than 2 days in adults or 24 hours in children and older adults. You should also contact a doctor if you notice blood or mucus in your stools.

Medical emergency

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. It’s important to call the emergency medical services or go to the nearest emergency room if you or someone you’re with has the following:

  • body temperature of 103°F (39°C) or higher
  • fast pulse
  • rapid breathing
  • breathing difficulties
  • lack of coordination
  • dizziness or confusion
  • seizures
  • loss of consciousness

If you’re waiting for an ambulance, try to move yourself or the other person to a cool, shady place. Applying a cold compress or wet cloth can help reduce body temperature, but refrain from drinking water unless medical personnel instructs otherwise.

Emergency medical personnel will work to cool down your body temperature and prevent damage to your organs. Treatment methods include ice baths, ice packs, and intravenous (IV) fluids to support rehydration.

Also, your care team will monitor your vital signs and treat any problems that may arise with your internal organs, like your liver or kidneys.

How long does it take to recover from heatstroke or heat exhaustion?

Overall, it can take several days or weeks to fully recover from heatstroke or heat exhaustion. After your treatment for heatstroke, a doctor will likely want to see you for a follow-up. Neurological complications are possible in the long term.

As you’re healing, a doctor may also advise you to limit any activities that raise your body temperature, such as exercising or going outdoors.

Treatment for heat-induced diarrhea will involve rehydration therapy. At the hospital, your care team may give you IV fluids to help treat both diarrhea and the heatstroke that caused it.

Although it’s a good idea to drink plenty of water to prevent overheating and subsequent dehydration, diarrhea may be an indication that you need electrolyte-containing fluids. These include sports drinks, commercial electrolyte solutions, and fruit juices.

To prevent heatstroke, it’s important to keep yourself cool, especially when outdoors or exercising. Try:

  • avoiding spending time outdoors in peak sun hours
  • wearing light colors and fabrics when outdoors
  • avoiding high intensity exercises when it’s hot
  • keeping your house cool by closing your curtains and running fans

By preventing heatstroke, you’ll also help prevent diarrhea related to this condition. To prevent heatstroke and subsequent diarrhea, it’s important to stay hydrated.

You can help prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of cool water when you’re outdoors or working out and by avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol or caffeine.

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Although neurological symptoms like confusion are prevalent with this heat-related illness, diarrhea can also occur.

The high body temperature you experience during heatstroke can cause structural and functional damage to the digestive system, leading to diarrhea. This, in turn, can lead to dehydration and further complications.

Not everyone who has diarrhea has a heat-related illness, and not all cases of heatstroke cause diarrhea. For this reason, it’s important to be aware of other classic symptoms of heat stroke, such as high body temperature, skin changes, and confusion.

If you suspect heatstroke in yourself or someone else, call the emergency medical services immediately.