What type of heat-related emergency can lead to unconsciousness?

Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat-related illness and can indeed lead to unconsciousness. It occurs when the body's temperature regulation fails, and the core temperature rises to dangerously high levels, typically above 104°F (40°C). In this state, the brain and other vital organs can suffer significant damage, leading to symptoms such as confusion, disorientation, and ultimately, loss of consciousness.

Heat stroke often follows untreated heat exhaustion, which itself is a serious condition characterized by excessive sweating, weakness, and dizziness but does not usually cause unconsciousness. Other heat-related issues, such as heat cramps and dehydration, involve muscle spasms or fluid loss without affecting consciousness directly. Dehydration, while potentially serious, primarily leads to symptoms like thirst, decreased urine output, and fatigue rather than the drastic neurological impairment seen in heat stroke.