How to identify a hot flash vs. heat stroke

It’s summertime, and it’s hot. With all that heat, you’re bound to have episodes of “overheating.” How do you know if you’re having a hot flash or a heat stroke? Some of the symptoms overlap, including rapid heartbeat and mental fogginess.

But there’s one simple way to distinguish the two: sweat. If you sweat, it’s a hot flash. And if you don’t sweat, it’s a heat stroke. They say, don’t sweat the small stuff. But, as it turns out, sweating is the small stuff. Always remember to keep cool; slight increases in your body’s core temperature can trigger hot flashes.

– Dr. Barbie Taylor, M.D.