What is a common symptom of heat exhaustion?

Heavy sweating, weakness, and dizziness are key indicators of heat exhaustion and reflect the body's response to prolonged exposure to high temperatures, particularly during physical activity. When a person is in a hot environment, their body works to cool itself through sweating. If this sweating is excessive, it can lead to a loss of fluids and electrolytes, resulting in weakness and dizziness as the body becomes increasingly dehydrated.

The presence of heavy sweating is especially critical as it differentiates heat exhaustion from more severe heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke, which may occur if the body temperature rises to dangerous levels and sweating stops. Recognizing these symptoms early is crucial because they signal that action should be taken to cool the person down and rehydrate them before their condition worsens.