Which symptom is commonly associated with heat exhaustion?

• A. Profuse sweating
• B. Jaundice
• C. Hair loss
• D. Numbness

Answer: (A)

Profuse sweating reflects the body’s primary cooling mechanism in heat-related illness. When a person is exposed to high heat or engages in strenuous activity, the sweat glands work hard to shed excess body heat. That intense sweating is a hallmark of heat exhaustion, and it often comes with dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, leading to symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, headache, nausea, cramps, and weakness. The skin in heat exhaustion is typically moist and cool, which fits with ongoing sweating as the body tries to regulate temperature. Jaundice, hair loss, or numbness aren’t typical signs of heat exhaustion, so they don’t align with the common response to heat stress.