The difference between heat exhaustion and heatstroke explained
The body defends its core temperature of around 37°C by sweating and sending extra blood to the skin, but hot humid air, dehydration or sheer heat load can overwhelm that system. When those cooling mechanisms start to fail, heat exhaustion sets in; heatstroke is the more serious condition, and the two are often confused despite the difference mattering enormously. Older adults and young children regulate body temperature less efficiently, and heart, kidney and respiratory disease all reduce the body's ability to cope. With parts of the UK forecast to hit 36°C, knowing which condition you are looking at could save a life.
What it shows: Reported by The Conversation (UK health) and not verified by us: we could not trace this story to a published paper, so treat it as news rather than evidence we have checked.