Which condition involves dizziness or fainting from standing in heat; treatment includes lying down, cooling, elevating legs, and hydrating?

• A. Heat Rash (Prickly Heat)
• B. Heat Cramps
• C. Heat Syncope
• D. Exertional Heat Exhaustion

Answer: (C)

Dizziness or fainting after standing in heat points to heat syncope. This happens when heat causes peripheral blood vessels to dilate and, combined with possible dehydration, blood pools in the legs, reducing return to the heart and brain. The quickest relief is to have the person lie down, elevate the legs to promote venous return, cool the body, and rehydrate. Once resting and cooled, symptoms typically improve as circulation and temperature normalize.

Heat rash is a skin irritation from blocked sweat glands, not related to fainting. Heat cramps are painful muscle contractions from dehydration and electrolyte loss. Exertional heat exhaustion is a more systemic heat illness with fatigue, weakness, sweating, and nausea during or after exercise, not primarily defined by fainting from standing.