Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke in Spain: Symptoms and What to Do
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD
Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)
Online advice for heat-related illness from a licensed, English-speaking GP in Spain. Heat stroke is an emergency: call 112.
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera
Licence No. 484814280 · Urgent, non-emergency care
Common Symptoms
Spanish summers regularly pass 40 °C, and heat illness is common in visitors who are not used to it, in older people, in young children and during exercise or outdoor work. Heat exhaustion comes first and is treatable; heat stroke is life-threatening. Signs of heat exhaustion include:
- Heavy sweating with pale, cool, clammy skin
- Headache, dizziness or feeling faint when standing
- Nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite
- Muscle cramps, especially in the legs and abdomen
- Tiredness, weakness and a fast, weak pulse
- Intense thirst and passing less urine than usual
- A temperature that may be raised but is usually below 40 °C
It is frightening to feel suddenly unwell in the heat, far from your own doctor, and difficult to judge whether rest and water will be enough or whether you need an ambulance. The key distinction is simple: heat exhaustion improves within about 30 minutes of cooling down, while confusion, a very high temperature or not improving means heat stroke, which needs 112.
You don't have to figure this out alone
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is an independent, bilingual GP licensed in Spain. Book a 20-minute video consultation in English or Spanish for €50, with a private electronic prescription issued under Spanish law when clinically appropriate.
How We Treat It
If you are already cooling down and improving, a video consultation can confirm you are recovering safely and review why it happened. The doctor may cover:
- Cooling that works: shade or air conditioning, removing excess clothing, cool water on the skin, a fan, and cold packs to the neck, armpits and groin
- Rehydration with water or an oral rehydration solution, and when sports drinks help with salt loss
- A check of your medicines: diuretics, some blood-pressure tablets, antihistamines, antidepressants and other drugs increase the risk of heat illness
- Advice on when it is safe to return to exercise, work or sightseeing, and how to avoid a repeat
- Assessment of ongoing symptoms such as persistent vomiting, dark urine or dizziness that may need in-person tests
Heat stroke cannot be treated by video. If someone is confused, drowsy, has a seizure, stops sweating with hot skin or has a temperature of 40 °C or more, call 112 straight away and start cooling them while you wait. Spain's heat-wave alerts (AEMET) are a good guide to the days when extra care is needed.
Clinical Evaluation & Evidence-Based Protocol for Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
During a telemedicine consultation with Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera (licensed medical practitioner No. 484814280 at the Official Medical College of Bizkaia), clinical evaluation adheres strictly to evidence-based medical (EBM) standards. The doctor conducts a thorough history, evaluating symptom duration, aggravating factors, prior treatments, and drug allergies to establish an accurate differential diagnosis.
Private Electronic Prescriptions (Receta Médica) Issued Under Spanish Law
When clinically indicated, Dr. Yelamo issues a private electronic prescription (Receta Médica Electrónica Privada) under Spanish law. The digital prescription contains a secure QR verification code accepted at all 22,000+ registered community pharmacies across Spain for immediate medication dispensing.
Itemized Invoices for Travel & Private Health Insurance Reimbursement
After your consultation, you receive an official medical report and an itemized invoice. The invoice shows Dr. Yelamo's licence details and tax ID. You can send it to your travel or private health insurer (such as Bupa, Allianz, Cigna, AXA or a US travel policy) to claim the cost back.
Preparing for Your Online Medical Consultation
Before your appointment, note when your symptoms started and any medicines you have already tried. Have your allergies and your usual prescriptions to hand. For a skin, rash or eye problem, sit in a well-lit room so the doctor can see it clearly.
Clinical Follow-Up & When In-Person Urgencias Are Necessary
Video care works well for common infections, mild sudden symptoms, skin rashes and repeat prescriptions. Some warning signs need emergency care in person: severe shortness of breath, a high fever you cannot bring down, chest pain or a stiff neck. If you have any of them, call 112 in Spain straight away.
When to Seek Immediate In-Person Care
Call 112 immediately if you or someone with you has:
- Confusion, slurred speech, agitation, unusual behaviour or drowsiness
- A temperature of 40 °C or higher, or hot skin that may be dry or sweaty
- A seizure or loss of consciousness
- Symptoms that do not improve after 30 minutes of cooling, rest and fluids
- Fast breathing, chest pain or a racing heartbeat
- Persistent vomiting that prevents drinking, or no urine for many hours
- Heat illness in a baby, young child, pregnant woman or frail older person
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke?
Heat exhaustion is the body struggling to lose heat: sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea and cramps, with a temperature that is normal or moderately raised. It responds to cooling, rest and fluids within about half an hour. Heat stroke means the body's temperature control has failed: the core temperature reaches 40 °C or more and the brain is affected, causing confusion, agitation, seizures or collapse. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and the person needs an ambulance and aggressive cooling.
Is sunstroke the same as heat stroke?
People use the words loosely. In Spain, insolación usually describes heat illness caused by direct sun on the head and body, while golpe de calor is heat stroke, which can happen indoors or at night during a heat wave. Medically, what matters is not the name but whether there is confusion or a very high temperature, which makes it an emergency.
What should I do in the first 30 minutes?
Get out of the heat into shade or air conditioning, lie down with the legs slightly raised, remove tight or extra clothing, cool the skin with water and a fan, and sip water or an oral rehydration solution. Cold packs or wet cloths on the neck, armpits and groin cool you faster. If you are not clearly better within 30 minutes, or any sign of heat stroke appears, call 112.
Who is most at risk in Spain's heat?
Babies and young children, people over 65, pregnant women, anyone with heart, kidney or lung disease or diabetes, people who are overweight, outdoor workers, athletes, and visitors who have arrived from a cooler climate and have not acclimatised, which takes one to two weeks. Alcohol, dehydration and certain medicines add to the risk.
Can my medication make heat illness more likely?
Yes. Diuretics and some blood-pressure medicines reduce the body's fluid reserve; antihistamines, some antidepressants, antipsychotics and bladder medicines reduce sweating; and stimulants raise heat production. Never stop a prescribed medicine on your own because of the heat. An online consultation is a good place to review whether any adjustment is sensible during a heat wave.
How do I prevent heat exhaustion on holiday?
Plan outdoor activity for early morning or evening, rest in the shade between 12:00 and 17:00, drink regularly before you feel thirsty, wear light loose clothing and a hat, use air conditioning or cool showers, go easy on alcohol, and never leave children or pets in a parked car. Check AEMET heat warnings and take the first days after arrival gently while your body acclimatises.
Online consultations are for urgent, non-emergency care. In a medical emergency call 112 immediately or go to your nearest emergency department.
Tue · Thu · Fri · SatOne named doctor, from first call to follow-up
Book a secure 20-minute video consultation with Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera for €50. Same-day slots are often available. For urgent, non-emergency care; in an emergency, call 112.
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